If you were born with a uterus, then I'm sorry to say that your access to online
health information is about as open as your cervix before a sweep*
*a mildly subjective way of saying women's health information is restricted and censored by tech firms and their algorithms.
WHEN GOOD WORDS MATTER: STANDING UP FOR FEMALE CENSORSHIP ONLINE
95% of women's health creators surveyed in 2024-25 reported censorship on platforms including lnstagram, Facebook, TikTok, X, Google, Amazon, YouTube, Pinterest and Linked In. -The impact of digital suppression and censorship of women's health ©CensHERship Ltd 2024.
Yet online search platforms are often the go-to source, with 71% of respondents to the Women's health strategy for England survey citing google as their main source of health information (vs 59%, GPs or healthcare professionals, and 54% NHS).
Respondents also called for more trusted and easier-to-understand information regarding a range of women’s health issues including fertility, the menopause, gynaecological conditions, and cancers.
Clarity of information and content we can trust is one thing. Health information blocked due to key words triggering the algorithm, that's something else. How can we support this request for information when in the same breath we have systemic gender bias in tech?
In protest to this we've made posters. Oh yes. These aren't just any posters. These are free, human made posters.
"There is something refreshing about a traditional print campaign as a call to arms against the online censorship of women's health. Using a range of visual icons, and with inspiration taken from the words themselves, we created this series to signal that all words associated to women's health are first and foremost good words.
The aim isn't to necessarily beautify these words, rather it is to draw attention to the fact that they should not be taboo, that words like vulva should be normalised, they are, in their own way already beautiful. It is high time that tech reframed the algorithm in consideration of anyone who has a uterus. Having said that, they are bloody beautiful and we can’t think of a better way to launch Ouch! than with the Good Words campaign"
- Carrie Kenyon, Founder of Ouch!
You can download hi-res digital version or get in touch to grab one of our limited A5 print sets. Printed on recycled stock, of course.
Contact us if you'd like a pack sending in the post. Good words should be available to all, after all.
Stick them on your socials, give us a selfie, pin them on your fridge, company notice board, your doctors surgery....print them on a shirt if you like, so long as you're not selling on for profit. Get creative! and be sure to tag #goodwords.
