The social media campaign launched after women were stopped from wearing glasses at their places of work
So, Japan has banned women from wearing glasses in the workplace. Some, not all, of the country’s companies have asked their female workers to remove their glasses – as revealed on a TV show that exposed businesses imposing the ban.
The reasons behind the ban differed from business to business with airlines claiming it’s a safety issue, while shop assistants were told it gave a “cold impression.” Yet, the same ban did not extend to male employees within the same companies.
Unsurprisingly, people are protesting with a social media campaign growing on Twitter via the hashtag #GlassesAreForbidden. With (rightful) public outcry, the campaign to refute the enforcement is completely necessary – this is just about being able to see. No woman should have to struggle with their vision, especially not when the men around them sit back and relax with their specs.
Unfortunately, this ridiculous ban isn’t the first. Earlier this year in Japan, we saw the rule that requires women to wear high heels at work being enforced. However, the movement dubbed #KuToo saw women fight back against the regressive and outdated dress codes.
"Japanese women fight for right to wear glasses to work."
— Trypophobe (@Minhaas_) November 9, 2019
One woman who works in restaurant tweeted that she was repeatedly told not to wear her glasses because it would appear "rude" and they did not go with the traditional kimono she wore.#glassesareforbidden
Banning women wearing glasses in the workplace is inhumane.🤒 Wearing contact lenses for a long time is a great burden on the eyes and people's mental state is not as good as wearing glasses.#glassesareforbidden#Japan#Glassesban#glasses#KuToopic.twitter.com/PcGwu5LN9C
— Yiyu Huang (@YiyuHuang3) November 11, 2019
Nobody saw Japan as a country championing women's rights or promoter of equality so there was really no need for #glassesareforbidden to reclaim a spot they already have; that of a shitty little patriarchal nation #KuToo
— Jay (@Jay_S0105) November 11, 2019
We still have a long, long way to go to achieve gender equality #glassesareforbidden#gendergaphttps://t.co/LlQvLx7X8x
— Peter Vermeulen (@pvermeul_peter) November 10, 2019
#glassesareforbidden excuse me, but are you fucking serious?!? It's 2019 for fuck's sake! What shithole company bans eyeglasses for women, forcing them to wear contacts because 'glasses don't make you look feminine'??? Ban dental braces, casts & hearing aids while you're at it!
— Ororo 🔞🐀 (@ovo_crow) November 10, 2019
Woman: *Wears glasses to work*
— Kristen (@KrPoplin) November 10, 2019
Japanese company: #glassesareforbiddenpic.twitter.com/WcEcukIoyj