Spanish government campaign says every woman’s body is a beach body

The Spanish Government has launched a campaign encouraging women to feel confident at the beach.

(Picture: Spanish Government/Instituto de la Mujeres)

We’re well into the holiday season, and plenty of holidaymakers are heading to Spain this summer.

Now, Spain’s equality ministry, has launched an “All bodies are beach bodies” campaign, encouraging all women to hit the beaches with confidence no matter their shape or size. It’s a step towards better inclusivity for Spain.

The colourful campaign’s promotional image features five women of different body types, ages, and ethnicities relaxing on the beach in the sun.

“Summer is ours too,” it says. “Enjoy it how, where and with whomever you want.” It also features a woman who has had a mastectomy topless.

🌊 El verano también es nuestro 💜

👙 Disfrútalo como, donde y con quien tú quieras🌞

🍹 Hoy brindamos por un verano para todas, sin estereotipos y sin violencia estética contra nuestros cuerpos.

🎨 @ArteMapacheArt para el @InstMujeres pic.twitter.com/7rwpXOEMhv

— Ministerio de Igualdad (@IgualdadGob) July 27, 2022

The institue behind the campaign said it’s aiming to show that all bodies are valid. The ad reads: “Today we toast a summer for all, without stereotypes and aesthetic violence against our bodies.”

This was followed by another Tweet from Irene Montero, the country’s minister for equality. The translation read: “All bodies are valid and we have the right to enjoy life as we are, without guilt or shame. Summer is for everyone!”

It also included the campaign hashtag #ElVeranoEsNuestro, which means the summer is ours.

Todos los cuerpos son válidos y tenemos derecho a disfrutar de la vida como somos, sin culpa ni vergüenza. ¡El verano es para todas! #ElVeranoEsNuestro pic.twitter.com/oH09KGJkEn

— Irene Montero (@IreneMontero) July 27, 2022

The campaign was launched on July 27, and social media was divided, with some believing the it wasn’t inclusive enough of men, disabled people and others who are body-shamed at the beach – while others praised the campaign.

Ione Belarra, general secretary of left-wing political party Podemos, said: “All bodies are beach bodies. And mountain [bodies]. Our bodies are to be cared for, respected and enjoyed. “

Angela Rodriguez, a Spanish philosopher and politician, said: “All bodies are valid. Remembering and validating them is a profoundly political and feminist task. These days remember that the summer is ours.”

But she added: “Gentlemen saying that fat women could now go to the beach without permission from Equality. Of course we go, but we’re assuming we’ll attract hatred for showing a body that isn’t standard.”