---
title: "Mattel introduces Barbie doll with Down's syndrome"
description: "LONDON, April 25 (Reuters) - Toy maker Mattel MAT.O has introduced its first Barbie with Down's syndrome in a bid to make its famous doll range more inclusive."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Barbie"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-04-25-mattel-introduces-barbie-doll-with-downs-syndrome/"
published: "2023-04-25T15:07:22"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 179
---

# Mattel introduces Barbie doll with Down's syndrome

> LONDON, April 25 (Reuters) - Toy maker Mattel MAT.O has introduced its first Barbie with Down's syndrome in a bid to make its famous doll range more inclusive.

By Reuters · Published 25 April 2023, 17:07 SAST

## Key points
- Mattel has released a doll with features associated with Down's Syndrome, sending a message of inclusion and self-love to all children. The doll is dressed in colours associated with awareness of the condition.
- Mattel has released a new Barbie doll with features to represent people with Down Syndrome
- The doll has a shorter frame and longer torso, rounder face shape, and almond-shaped eyes
- It is dressed in a yellow and blue frock and wears a pink necklace with three chevrons
- The goal of the doll is to enable children to see themselves in Barbie

## Content

In a statement on Tuesday, Mattel said it had worked with the National Down Syndrome Society in the United States to make the doll, which has a shorter frame and longer torso than its other Barbies.

The new doll's face is also a rounder shape, and has almond-shaped eyes, smaller ears and a flat nasal bridge, Mattel said.

"The doll’s palms even include a single line, a characteristic often associated with those with Down’s syndrome," Mattel said.

The doll is dressed is a puff sleeved frock adorned with butterflies and flowers in yellow and blue - colours associated with Down’s syndrome awareness.

She wears a pink necklace with three upward chevrons representing the three copies of the 21st chromosome as well as pink ankle foot orthotics, Mattel said.

“Our goal is to enable all children to see themselves in Barbie, while also encouraging children to play with dolls who do not look like themselves," Lisa McKnight, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Barbie & Dolls, Mattel, said in the statement.

(Reporting by Marie-Louise Gumuchian; Editing by Nick Macfie)