Rida Tharana Opens Up About Skin-Colour Insecurities

Rida Tharana talked about feeling insecure when she was growing up.

She said her friends were kind and did not bully her.

However, she often compared her skin, hair, clothes and family’s money with theirs.

Some people also told her that being dark-skinned could make marriage harder and require more dowry.

These comments made her feel bad about herself.

She said advertisements and pictures can also teach children that only certain looks are beautiful.

Psychologist Dr Rimpa Sarkar said children can absorb these ideas even when nobody directly bullies them.

She said parents and schools should teach children that skin colour, body shape and hair do not decide their value.