BYU Women's Services hosts The Body Project, a program that focuses on challenging beauty standards.
BYU Women's Services has been running The Body Project since 2021. The program is designed to empower women to combat society’s beauty standards.
“It empowered me as a woman to feel just better about myself in my own skin,” Elisabeth Beesley, peer mentor for The Body Project, said
The National Organization for Women reported that 59% of girls have expressed dissatisfaction with their body shape. 66% of girls expressed the desire to lose weight.
“A big part of The Body Project is we talk about the appearance ideal which is basically the standards that the world puts on women,” Beesley said.
Beesley is one of 41 peer leaders that have trained to lead The Body Project.
Hannah Whiting chose to become a peer leader after participating in The Body Project herself.
“As a student, it was just shocking to me how many other women were also struggling with a lot of the same things as me,” Whiting said.
Responding to negative body talk is one of the activities students do in The Body Project.
“I've seen an impact on participants, but also on peer leaders," Jackie Nunez, assistant director of Women's Services, said. "They also feel empowered to be able to have these discussions about body image,”
BYU Women’s Services employees participate in The Body Project then go through the training to peer lead the program.
“It has strengthened us as coworkers here as well since we all went through The Body Project,” Daniela Marquez, peer leader for The Body Project, said.
Those interested in being part of The Body Project can sign up on the Women's Services website.