We need to talk about female “empowerment”.

Sex shop given free rein to broadcast sexist and demeaning portrayals of female athletes

Despite broadcasting objectifying and pornified representations of women, reinforcing sexist and harmful stereotypes about women and sexuality, and accusations of bullying and harassing young female staff, sex store Honey Birdette’s go-to refrain is that they are “empowering women”.

This claim is at odds with reality. Read on as we unpack the various ways that Honey Birdette disempowers women and girls. 

Another Ad Standards fail

One man, five days and actually caring about the community has achieved what Ad Standards, a comprehensive advertising Code of Ethics (and accompanying Practice Note), a 22-member panel and a weeks-long review process could not: takedown of a sexist, objectifying advertisement from Perth’s public buses.

Does Ad Standards have a problem with women?

Ad Standards' bizarre ruling on sexual harassment ad