Sometimes made up and other times not. Depending on the context, we are required to take care of our image to conform to certain standards of femininity; in others, we are reproached for doing so, considering it excessive or improper. The contradiction is not accidental. What underlies this is a constant expectation of conformity to a model of womanhood that remains conditioned by patriarchal parameters.
We are expected to be discreet, accommodating, and, at times, practically invisible. To occupy just enough space, to speak only when necessary, to express our opinions without causing discomfort, and to adjust our behavior to a set of unwritten rules about how a woman should act to be socially acceptable.
That is why Echedey Eugenio's statements, in attempting to discredit a demonstration by pointing out that the participating women were "even made up," are so concerning. Beyond the frivolity of the comment, what is truly relevant is what it reveals: the persistence of a gaze that continues to evaluate women by their appearance rather than by the content of their claims. Furthermore, this is not the first time Echedey Eugenio has made statements of this kind, which makes the reiteration of discourses that focus on women's appearance instead of addressing the substance of the issues raised even more worrying.
From a sociological perspective, these types of statements are neither anecdotal nor innocent. They are part of a long tradition of symbolic control over women's bodies and behaviors. Historically, we have been judged by how we dress, how we speak, the spaces we occupy, and the way we choose to present ourselves to society. When it's not the clothes, it's the makeup; when it's not the makeup, it's the tone of voice; when it's not the tone of voice, it's the way we claim our rights.
The underlying issue has never been makeup. Makeup is simply the excuse. What is being questioned is the legitimacy of women to occupy public space and to do so from their own autonomy. The underlying idea is that there is a correct way to be a woman for our opinions to be considered valid and our claims to be taken seriously.
However, a made-up woman does not lose critical capacity. A made-up woman does not have her political consciousness reduced. A made-up woman does not stop having legitimate reasons to demonstrate. Linking physical appearance with the validity of a claim is not only a profoundly sexist argument, but also intellectually poor.
Therefore, I consider that a public representative loses credibility when resorting to this type of disqualification. Not because they maintain a different political position, but because they demonstrate a worrying inability to debate the substance of the issues raised. When the argument against a social mobilization is the physical appearance of those who participate in it, the problem is not with the protesters.
What is truly worrying is that, in the midst of 2026, there are still public officials who believe that women's makeup deserves more attention than the reasons why those women have decided to take to the streets.
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