New global study reveals 97% of women believe they are judged for how they look

A survey of over 10,000 female-identifying women, aged over 18 years old, has revealed global attitudes to the judgement that women face over their appearance. The research was conducted in urban and suburban areas across the UK, Germany, Spain, Mexico, the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Of the women surveyed, 97% believed they were judged for how they look, with a majority (61%) also receiving abuse or negative comments in person, or online. Interestingly, abuse and appearance-based commentary were lowest for the women surveyed in the UK (48%), while the highest levels were reported in Mexico (68%).

The disappointing findings were juxtaposed, however, by the empowering suggestion that women are still passionate about their appearance autonomy: 88% of those surveyed said that they believed women should be free from social judgement, and 90% stated that they should be able to do whatever they want with their appearance.

Moreover, 75% of the women surveyed also believed ‘they are powerful’ and these rates were highest in the countries where women reported facing the most negative judgement for their appearance.

Women in Mexico (91%), and the Middle East (82%) were the most likely to consider themselves powerful, and women in the UK (51%) were the least.

The survey was conducted by the global aesthetic company Sinclair, to garner insights for its MaiLi premium hyaluronic acid fillers brand. The data has supported the launch of MaiLi’s new 'My Power' campaign, which says ‘no to judgement’ in support of women everywhere. It is designed to represent a rallying cry for women to own their power, and for naysayers to keep their judgement to themselves.

To read the full study and discover more about the campaign, go to sinclair.com/news/