Women’s Health Organization Criticizes Always “Like a Girl” Ad

 Viral Always ad peddles products with toxic chemicals that harm women’s health

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 21, 2014

CINCINNATI—Procter & Gamble has hit it big—21 million views so far—with its new “Like a Girl” ad promoting female empowerment and Always menstrual pads, but as far as one leading national women’s health organization is concerned, the company has missed the mark.

“While it’s great to encourage girls to challenge stereotypes of what they can and can’t do, coming from a company that markets products that include toxic chemicals known to cause cancer, reproductive harm, and hormone disruption, the message seems hypocritical,” said Erin Switalski, Executive Director of Women’s Voices for the Earth.

Women’s Voices for the Earth’s “Detox the Box” campaign includes a report as well as a spoof music video that demands P&G’s Tampax and Always brands disclose all ingredients and remove harmful chemicals from pads and tampons. Despite receiving more than 30,000 views on YouTube, P&G has not yet responded to WVE’s requests.

“It’s condescending to assume women will buy products based on a slickly-produced ad by one of the world’s biggest companies rather than weighing scientifically-sound information when deciding whether or not Always products are right for them,” said Switalski. “If they truly care about empowering women to make the best decisions for themselves and their daughters, P&G would disclose all ingredients in its tampons and pads and remove those that may harm our health.”

“Like a Girl” has been shared 300,000 times on Facebook and 40,000 times on Twitter.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Cassidy Randall, cassidyr@womensvoices.org, (406) 543-3747, office

Founded in 1995, Women’s Voices for the Earth amplifies women’s voices to eliminate the toxic chemicals that harm our health and communities. With thousands of members across the United States, WVE changes corporate practices, holds government accountable, and works to ensure a toxic-free future for all. Learn more at womensvoices.org.

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