Two Scottish teenagers who play a leading role in the Girlguiding movement have written to the Sun
newspaper in the ongoing row over the Page three feature.
Girlguiding Scotland members Isla Whately and Hannah Brisbane are members of Girlguiding's UK Advocate panel, which has been campaigning for the paper to cease printing topless photos of young women.
The paper was accused of a PR stunt after it appeared to indicate that it would drop page three, only to resume it a few days later, with a 'corrections and clarifications' box welcoming the publicity the decision had generated.
Isla Whately, 18, of Glasgow and Hannah Brisbane, 17, of Forth Valley said they were sad that the voices of Girlguides were among those being ignored by the tabloid paper.
In a letter to the paper's editors, they said: "This time last week we were massively encouraged by your decision to stop featuring topless women in your newspaper. It was such an empowering step forward for girls and young women," but added that they were disappointed the policy had apparently been reversed.
"We are not playthings that can be used as a publicity ploy. We want to see women's achievements, not their breasts, on the most prominent page of your family newspaper," they added.
Research led by the Advocate panel had found that three quarters of girls and young women aged 17-21 believe there are too many images of naked or scantily clad women in the media, they said, and the paper should listen to them by getting rid of Page three.
"We were so excited that last week would bring about a huge change, and that you would be on our side. So it's incredibly disheartening for us as young women to see our voices and opinions being ignored by Britain's biggest newspaper."
Girlguiding Scotland's Chief Executive Denise King said the letter showed the newspaper's attitudes were outdated. She added: "Today's letter signed by young Girlguiding Scotland members is a powerful statement showing that young women today are ready for a change.
"The Sun needs to listen to their call and stop sending the message that if you're female, you're a decorative object above all else."
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