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- The new Barbie doll with Down Syndrome has hit the shelves.
- The special doll was launched in other regions in April this year - and is now available in South Africa at select retailers for R279.
- To accurately represent a person with Down Syndrome, the doll features almond eyes, short stature, small ears, nose, and more.
- For more stories, visit the Tech and Trends homepage.
Mattel's iconic Barbie doll with Down Syndrome has hit the shelves of South African retailers in an effort to push for representation and to eradicate stigma about the condition and other disabilities in the country.
The special doll was launched this year in April, and its release is aimed at allowing more children with the condition to see themselves reflected in Barbie, promoting empathy and understanding through play.
The national executive director of Down Syndrome South Africa, Ancella Ramjas, applauded Mattel for launching the special doll, saying it accurately represents the world they live in and provides representation for children living with the genetic disorder caused by abnormal cell division, which results in extra genetic material from chromosome 21.
"This is a monumental step, and we congratulate Mattel for introducing the Barbie doll with Down Syndrome and other dolls with disabilities. If you look at it in the context of South Africa, you find that there is a lot of stigma around having a disability.
"You still have situations where families are hiding their children for fear of being judged and for fear of being stigmatised. It's important to understand that there are different people in this world with unique disabilities and talents, and we need to embrace that," Ramjas told News24.
Features
To ensure the doll accurately represented a person with Down Syndrome, Barbie collaborated closely with the National Down Syndrome Society.
The organisation provided valuable insights that informed the design process, covering the doll's sculpt, clothing, accessories and packaging. This collaboration was aimed at creating a doll that resonated with the community it represented.
The key features of the special Barbie include facial characteristics that reflect the unique physical attributes often associated with Down Syndrome, including almond-shaped eyes and an engaging smile.
Other features include a small nose, round-shaped face, small ears, shorter stature, and short chubby hands and fingers.
This specific Barbie even has leg braces, which many people with Down Syndrome depend on for issues such as joint instability, low muscle tone, flat feet, abnormalities or to improve mobility.
National Down Syndrome Day
The release of the special doll strategically coincides with National Down Syndrome Day, celebrated on 20 October.
"It coincides with our National Down Syndrome Day, which is on the 20th of October every year, and this day was given to us by our late president, Nelson Mandela.
"The purpose of National Down Syndrome Awareness Day is to provide us, as the Down Syndrome community, the opportunity to celebrate the life of individuals with Down Syndrome and just spread awareness about the condition," said Ramjas.
Barbie, known for its commitment to diversity, believes that dolls play an essential role in a child's early experiences, shaping their thoughts and perceptions.
The company strives to counter social stigmas and create a more accepting world through play by expanding its range to include a Barbie doll with Down Syndrome.
With more than 175 looks, offering a variety of eye colours, hair types, body shapes, disabilities and fashions, Barbie continues to lead the way in inclusivity.
Previous releases have featured dolls with vitiligo, dolls using wheelchairs, prosthetic limbs, hearing aids, and dolls without hair.
The Barbie doll with Down Syndrome is available at various retailers nationwide, retailing at R279.00.
It can currently be found at Toys R Us, Takealot and Toy Kingdom.
