Gender inclusive dolls to accomodate all kids' preferences

By Fridah Mlemwa

Children’s toy manufacturer Mattel has launched a new line of “gender inclusive” dolls which it says are “free of labels” not identifiable as either “boy” or “girl.”

A ? without labels means everyone is invited to play. Welcome to #CreatableWorld, where we let toys be toys so kids can be kids. #AllWelcome

Shop now: https://t.co/YetMkzG7bq pic.twitter.com/AOi1bNYJVO

— MATTEL (@Mattel) September 25, 2019

Toy manufacturers Mattel launched the line of customisable dolls called “Creatable World” on Wednesday (September 25). The dolls feature combinations of outfits and hairstyles that give the option of breaking away from gender stereotypes reports Reuters

Kids can create their own characters by selecting from a variety of wig lengths and can choose to dress their doll in trousers and/or skirts. “Creatable World” features six different dolls of varying skin tones and each comes with two hairstyle options and a variety of outfits.

All Mattel dolls are sexless (they have no visible reproductive organs—for obvious reasons). But the dolls are gendered; Barbie wears makeup and dresses, Ken wears jeans. For designers, gender neutrality meant creating faces without makeup and providing a diverse sartorial color palette says Yahoo