A class 3 girl from Guwahati, Assam, has got consumer goods manufacturer Dabur to rethink its views on gender equality, to the extent of making them assure that they will change their packaging.
When Mriganka K Majumder, a banker in Guwahati, got his 9-year-old daughter a carton of Dabur's Real fruit juice, she refused to drink it. When asked why, she pointed out that the pack said that the juice was meant only for "him" and not everybody.
Majumder sent a letter to Union Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi saying, "My 9-year-old daughter asked me yesterday that whether real fruit juices (manufactured by Dabur India) 200ml carton can be consumed only by boys. I asked her why and then she replied that it is because in the carton it is written that "something that’s good for your child should make HIM smile." So, "HIM" means only a boy can drink and it is not girls, why it is so she asked." (sic)
A responsible father, wishing for a fair world for his daughter, brought to my notice this seemingly minute yet questionable error. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/1AW5vJk5Fm
— Maneka Gandhi (@Manekagandhibjp) February 16, 2017
Gandhi in turn wrote to Dabur India, who claimed that the use of the term "him" on the pack is not gender specific, but assured her that they will make necessary amendments in future.
"Dabur has always believed in gender-neutral communication, be it on its product packs or with its advertisements... In reference to the point raised by Mr. Mriganka K Majumder, we could like to state that the Real Fruit Power product pack also carries the picture of a happy family of four, including a girl child," Byas Anand of Dabur India Ltd wrote.
I wrote to Dabur to look into the matter and they’ve assured necessary amendments. 2/2 #WeAreEqual pic.twitter.com/dT1HDLnxNt
— Maneka Gandhi (@Manekagandhibjp) February 16, 2017
He added, "Let me assure you that the use of the term 'him' on the pack is not gender specific and was used in a more general sense to connote children and not any specific gender. However, we have taken into account Mr. Majumder’s concern and will make the necessary amendments, to avoid any such misunderstanding in the future."