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Robyn Lawley On Why We Need To Shift Our Energy This IWD

The activist and campaigner bares all to embrace who she is (flaws and all) - by Grace Back
  • 07 Mar 2020

For this International Women's Day (IWD), Bumble - the app that has based itself on women making the first move in business, dating and networking - has launched their inaugural Making Moves Report, doing a deep dive into what really matters to young Australian women in 2020. Teaming up with Robyn Lawley, a longstanding body activist and former marie claire Australia cover star, Bumble is reigniting the conversation. 

Watch Below: Robyn Lawley Celebrates International Women's Day 2020 

The report, which was conducted online by YouGov with a national sample of 1,018 Australian women aged between 18-45, found that the big issue for young Australian women includes body image, and saw a strong correlation between low self-esteem and a young woman's perception of her appearance. Perhaps most staggering, Bumble's Making Moves survey revealed that 95 per cent of women said their self-esteem was directly affected by the way they look, with a further 2 in 3 admitting to having felt shamed or been verbally shamed for their appearance. 4 out of 5 Australian women also said they are not happy with the way they look, with 9 out of 10 saying they want to change their appearance. 

Ahead of IWD on March 8, marie claire spoke to Lawley on how society needs to shift their obsession with a woman's appearance and focus the energy on improving the world around us, loving ourselves and making a change. 

"With my career, I've seen a shift happen, because 10 years ago or 15 years ago, you tell me any of the stuff that's happened I wouldn't have believed you," Lawley tells marie claire. "It just did not happen, so time has changed everything and we see more of that and we feel empowered by that - it helps us accept our bodies more. There’s finally diversity on catwalks: we’re seeing more curved models, different ethnicities and trans models on the runway. It’s so important to see people you can relate to.

RELATED: Six Times Robyn Lawley Kept It Gloriously Real And Filter Free

Lawley recalls first watching Game of Thrones and seeing Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie), who much like Lawley, stands over 6 feet tall. "I had a cheering fit," Lawley admits. "I had never seen a woman standing at 6 feet before in any TV or movie before. That was the first time I had seen myself represented on TV."

"Having that diversity and seeing those people that are different front and centre for those little kids out there to look up to, that makes the world of difference." 

robynlawley View Profile
681 likes - View Post on Instagram
I've got "Come as you are" stuck in my head. Loved hearing from strong women the other day, looking forward to International Women's day this Sunday ! #retouchfree

Lawley self-admittedly says her own journey to self-acceptance has not been easy. On top of being considered "different" in the modelling industry, Lawley was faced with a life-threatening condition that she says completely flipped her way of thinking. 

"I was diagnosed with lupus and antiphospholipid syndrome following the birth of my daughter Ripley [now five], and it really put things in perspective," she explains. "The condition means my body is basically attacking itself. I had a seizure on my staircase and fell more than two metres, landing on my face. I was lucky I didn’t break my neck, but I was left with permanent scars on my face. I suppose it’s ironic that I’m a model." 

"You've been given a second chance, don't waste it," Lawley adds. "Losing the ability to walk and talk will change your mind on everything. I had to relearn it all and to survive that." 

robynlawley View Profile
12.6k likes - View Post on Instagram
As I'm getting ready to return to work, feeling strong and near myself again, I want to be completely honest with you, in this day and age where we seemingly share all, I needed some time, healing physically and emotionally. I do however want the truth known. Nearly 2 months ago I had an accident. There's a reason I was public about my lupus and aps diagnosis from the start, a lifelong incurable (for now) condition I didn't know what I or still am in for. I unfortunately had a seizure on my staircase, I fell from over 7ft and landed on my face. I suppose it's ironic that I'm a model, however I'm grateful I didn't break my neck. I've managed to come full circle with that gratefulness, and luck. I could of had it holding my daughter for example, or I could be in a wheelchair, or not breathing at all. With fashion week coming soon I wanted to acknowledge my new lighting bolt scar on my forehead (aka offical wizard now 🙋‍♀️) lip and chin. As the scars fade, apart of me wants nothing to do with them and a part of me wants to embrace them. They make us who we are. Plus wearing daily makeup to cover my face is something I do not do. Life isn't all rainbows. I've found strength the past few months following people who are brave to share their physical and emotional ongoing battles. Thank you @elly.mayday (battling ovarian cancer) thank you @chelseabonner (battling fibromyalgia) thank you @_indianrosee & @selenagomez (fellow lupus warriors) thank you. To anyone that's going through something I'm sorry for the pain you have to endure. You are always welcome to DM questions about SLE (lupus) or APS. Thank you to the hospital staff and doctors who were fast to treat me. Thank you to my love of my life saving me. Sending out love and positive vibes. You can always follow @lupusorg or @lupusla to help support lupus research. This photo is from the hospital a couple of months ago and one from a week ago. 🖤😘 Peace Robyn

Bumble's Making Moves report also found that in the workplace, the biggest issues facing women are in flexibility, the gender pay gap and gender bias. 

The Australian Government Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) says that Australia’s national gender pay gap has hovered between 13.9% and 19% for the past two decades. The survey found that despite this, only 1 in 5 Australian men actually believe there is no gender pay gap, compared to only 3 per cent of women. 

A stat which Lawley thinks comes down to awareness. "If we bring the awareness, things will change - if there's no awareness, it won't change." 

Read Bumble's full Making Moves report here. 

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Grace Back
Grace Back
Grace Back is a journalist and was formerly the Digital Culture Editor across ELLE and marie claire Australia. When not stuck in a seemingly endless Instagram scroll, you'll find Grace with her head in a good book.

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