For over a decade, Amira Adawe has devoted her life to putting an end to the skin lightening industry, particularly the use of creams that contain toxic levels of mercury. Here's how she's doing it.
Video Ad Feedback
Skin lightening is an $8.6 billion industry. This woman is trying to stop it
For over a decade, Amira Adawe has devoted her life to putting an end to the skin lightening industry, particularly the use of creams that contain toxic levels of mercury. Here's how she's doing it. Editor's note: This story is part of 'White lies', a series by CNN's As Equals investigating skin whitening practices worldwide to expose the underlying drivers of colorism, the industry that profits from it and the cost to individuals and communities. For information about how CNN As Equals is funded and more, check out our FAQs.
6:31 • Source: CNN
CNN's As Equals 25 videos
For over a decade, Amira Adawe has devoted her life to putting an end to the skin lightening industry, particularly the use of creams that contain toxic levels of mercury. Here's how she's doing it.
Video Ad Feedback
Skin lightening is an $8.6 billion industry. This woman is trying to stop it
6:31
Now playing
• Source: CNN
Ruth Repair shop.jpg
Video Ad Feedback
Video: Mexico City female cabbies rebel against brutal violence
4:58
Now playing
• Source: CNN
card image 6- candles at vigil.jpg
To be queer in parts of Colombia is 'to sign your own death sentence'
9:09
Now playing
• Source: CNN
Nakamura eyes open.jpg
Video Ad Feedback
Why these women were ashamed of surviving the Nagasaki atomic bomb
4:23
Now playing
• Source: CNN
PhilippinesBaby.jpg
Video Ad Feedback
Why reproductive health rights workers target basketball courts in the Philippines
7:05
Now playing
• Source: CNN
Hijra still_05.jpg
CNN speaks to Rohingya hijras facing transphobic abuse and sexual violence
5:12
Now playing
• Source: CNN
Asequals femicide family.jpg
Video Ad Feedback
‘Even the person you report to can be a victim’. Femicide crisis in Kenya
4:39
Now playing
• Source: CNN
as equals tattoo thumb 2
Video Ad Feedback
How some African women are bringing back tattoo traditions erased by colonization
4:16
Now playing
• Source: CNN
Asequals India trans thumb 3.jpg
Video Ad Feedback
Inside a trans shelter in India hoping to foster community and prevent homelessness
3:41
Now playing
• Source: CNN
As equals climate gender thumb 1
Video Ad Feedback
Four reasons why women are more impacted by climate change
3:32
Now playing
• Source: CNN
As Equals_Lebanon_videothumb_01.jpg
‘We are suffocating': CNN speaks to migrant workers abandoned in Lebanon
4:24
Now playing
• Source: CNN
03 video card as equals thailand gender affirming surgery
Video Ad Feedback
'It is my dream': woman says she risked it all for gender affirming surgery in Thailand
2:59
Now playing
• Source: CNN
The United Nations started a fund for sexual exploitation and abuse victims of its peacekeepers and staff, but in Haiti, many mothers say they've received little support.
Video Ad Feedback
'I would like to meet my dad': Fathered by a UN peacekeeper and left behind
4:36
Now playing
• Source: CNN
As Equals Meta Thumb 3
Video Ad Feedback
How common is sexual harassment in the metaverse? CNN explores the dark side of virtual worlds
7:31
Now playing
• Source: CNN
Thumbnail Mercury Explainer 02
Video Ad Feedback
This ingredient found in some beauty products can enter the bloodstream, the brain and breastmilk
3:21
Now playing
• Source: CNN
period poverty air pollution kenya video as equals intl cmd_00010401.png
Video Ad Feedback
Period poverty: How air pollution in Kenya could make periods heavier, more painful and more expensive
5:39
Now playing
• Source: CNN
An aerial view of nickel mining operations in South Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Video Ad Feedback
Women say their farms were seized to build nickel mines amid Indonesia's electric vehicle boom
6:57
Now playing
• Source: CNN
As Equals Slovenia THUMB 07
Video Ad Feedback
Powerful men regularly incite hatred against her, so she mobilized volunteers to fight back with kindness
10:11
Now playing
• Source: CNN
Doxxing Explainer 01
Video Ad Feedback
Women across the globe are falling victim to doxxing. Here's what to know
7:38
Now playing
• Source: CNN
KINGA001
A decision of 'love': Meet the women providing abortion access in the Netherlands
5:08
Now playing
• Source: CNN
as equals maternal mental health hamish magoffin 02
Video Ad Feedback
Losing my wife and son: Husband shares the tragic reality of postpartum depression
6:20
Now playing
• Source: CNN
21 As Equals Bihan India maternal mental health hotline
Video Ad Feedback
'Press nine to speak to a counselor': The hotline that helped hundreds of women
5:54
Now playing
• Source: CNN
Zimbabwe fishing as equals thumbnail 1
Video Ad Feedback
She started fishing for a better life. Climate change is putting it all at risk
4:37
Now playing
• Source: CNN
103347_RunningAsEquals_AnnetNegesa
Video Ad Feedback
'I felt my life is over': Negesa shares her harrowing story
10:12
Now playing
• Source: CNN
hawaii sign language linda lambrecht as equals lon orig cc Linda 5
Video Ad Feedback
Meet the woman keeping Hawaii Sign Language alive
9:41
Now playing
• Source: CNN