Here’s the announcement Change.org – who we have partnered with in our campaign against Diva – sent out to everyone who supported our petition calling on the fashion company to stop flogging porn-themed bling to little girls. The petition is close to reaching 7000 signatures. On behalf of my Collective Shout colleagues, thanks to all who supported us. We couldn’t do this work without you.

Dear Melinda,

Incredible news. Diva has backed down and have stopped promoting the Playboy brand. Thanks to you a global brand built on the objectification of women has all but disappeared from their stores and will no longer be marketed to children through Diva.

Collective Shout is a small group of women volunteers passionate about fighting against the exploitation and objectification of women. They started this campaign on Change.org just one month ago — taking on a company that sell over 10 million accessories every year, from over 200 stores in 22 countries!

More than 6,800 people came together and signed the petition demanding Diva change. Thousands of people posted all over Diva’s Facebook wall, and there was media coverage of the campaign in the Herald Sun, The Age, the West Australian and all over the radio.

Now the Sydney Morning Herald is reporting that “the online campaign appears to have hit home” with “posters coming down” and the products “shipped out” [1]. Sources inside Diva have said they are “de-ranging” Playboy products, which have almost completely disappeared from their website.

You’ve demonstrated the extraordinary power of individuals and groups to start campaigns around issues that matter to them — unifying their communities and winning change. Thousands came together and forced a huge company to respond to community opinion and become more socially responsible.

This is an important victory — not just because Diva is getting rid of Playboy, but also because fashion stores across the country have been watching this situation closely. They’ll be very conscious of the backlash Diva faced when making their own decisions about what to promote to children.

There’s a lot more to do in the fight for women’s and children’s rights. If there’s something you want to change in your community or anywhere else — it’s easy, you can start a petition on Change.org by clicking here.

Thanks for being part of this,

- Suzanne and the Change.org team

P.S. There’s never been a better time to call on companies to be more socially and economically responsible. They’re very conscious of their brands, and they want to be seen responding to community concern. Click here if you want to start a petition calling on a company to change.

[1]http://www.smh.com.au/national/spruiking-playboy-to-children-its-enough-to-boil-ones-bunny-20111028-1mo1z.html