By : Khatija Aslam


I can't remember the last time I visited the Barbie aisle.
It always seemed like a vain pursuit, and I thought I had outgrown it. However, after watching the recent Barbie movie, I am curious to check out that part of the toy store again.

The movie showcased how Barbie has evolved over the years to represent more than just a single idealized body type and look. It highlighted the importance of embracing differences and accepting ourselves and others for who we are. This message is particularly relevant to our mission at Moxy. We believe in building workplaces that are truly inclusive and equitable, and our platform enables employers to think beyond the traditional solutions and consider what else can be done to retain female talent, build supportive, equitable workplaces, and close the gender gap in leadership positions.

Here were some of my key highlights from the movie :

Challenging unrealistic expectations: The movie delves into the pressures women face in the workplace, striving to be exceptional and perfect like Barbie. It critiques societal norms and highlights the hypocrisy of labeling assertive women as "bossy." It calls for recognizing the diversity of women's aspirations and choices, addressing the oversight of essential workers and those who choose not to work. The key message empowers women to break free from unrealistic standards and support each other's unique journeys.

A Seat at the Table : Barbie's diverse roles contrast with the real-world gender gap in leadership positions. As she enters Mattel's headquarters, the film sheds light on the gender disparity in C-Suite roles, where women represent only 24% despite comprising 42% of the workforce globally. The movie advocates for progress towards gender balance in leadership, demanding equal opportunities and representation for women at every level.

Embracing Intersectionality : While the movie did not address all the diverse issues face by women, it still did a great job challenging unrealistic expectations. Gloria's (the mother and receptionist at Mattel) monologue so tear jerkingly highlighted the burden placed on women to cater to everyone and everything, emphasizing the impossibility of meeting such expectations and asserting the need to lift each other up and work together to combat systemic inequalities.


Aside from their amazing partnerships & collaborations, I think Barbie did a great job in amplifying the challenges and complexities women encounter across societies and workplaces today. So in case you haven’t seen the movie, *and here comes my shameless plug* you can now watch it in Gold Class with your partner/friend/colleague by submitting a review on our website here.

Access more career resources here : 

  • How to secure powerful mentorship : 
    https://blog.itsmoxy.com/cracking-the-code-a-fail-proof-formula-for-women-to-secure-powerful-mentorship-cllavul11415663tqcv6lk48wt/
  • Mastering work life integration : https://blog.itsmoxy.com/mastering-work-life-integration-your-key-to-success-and-happiness-cllajabzu110333tqc1czm6un2/
  • How saying NO can conquer workplace burnout :  https://blog.itsmoxy.com/how-wellbeing-days-and-saying-no-can-conquer-workplace-burnout-cll4sh22x115133tmqo95pohl8/