NECVA RAHİM

Algeria- Following a number of years in the field of media and journalism and in response to some channels' refusal to provide news bulletins and appear on screen, journalist Abeer Rabiei decided to launch the first blog to support and encourage obese women.

"The idea of launching the initiative was a product of years, as I did not have the courage and confidence to go into and talk about the issue," Abeer Rabiei explained to our agency. "However, I noticed that the situation was getting worse day by day due to bullying and negative comments that invaded social media, so I decided to raise the challenge and launch a campaign to discuss the numerous issues and complications that fat women face."

Abeer thinks that many people are unaware that fat women endure several pressures and issues, and they have biases that these women are irresponsible, have no control over their diet, and are just concerned with food.

“A culture accepting differences”

She had gotten a lot of criticism for misunderstanding the content and misinterpreting it to encourage obesity, but the criticism encouraged her more to promote "a culture accepting differences, diversity, and the other, regardless of their gender, sexual identity, or weight. She believes that criteria such as overweight or body image should not be set as an employment main objective.

"The initiative's main goal is to help obese women regain self-confidence and learn new skills to combat all forms of discrimination, bullying, and sarcasm from people who put them under psychological stress and complicate their lives as a result of negative comments they receive from others,” she said.

When asked about her experience working for some TV channels and the situations she encountered, she listed the reasons she received from channel officials regarding her desire to appear on the screen and present news due to her extra weight, describing her as a full person who might block the screen.

Women should stick to their aims and desires

They said that, despite her competence, she lacked basic journalistic principles, forcing her to work in the production department or leave in a hurry to escape public opinion. "I launched the campaign because I was refused to appear on television more than once, both inside and outside Algeria, which I think is racist."

Abeer Rabiei also delivered a message to all women, emphasizing the importance of sticking to their aims and desires in order to achieve their goals, rather than listening to harsh remarks or clinging to stereotypes that prevent them from progressing and going forward.