Meet Dokua Chicago, the BOLD Ghanaian Photo Model confidently flaunting for #NoBraDay in support of Breast Cancer Awareness | PHOTOS

In our part of the world (Ghana, Africa), not many women are ‘very bold’ to express themselves in an ‘almost-topless’ manner to drive campaigns as most often than not it is likely to be linked with open nudity or prostitution.

An accra-based photo model, named Nana Abena Dokua Baidoo Yvonne, popularly known on social media as Dokua Chicago, defies all odds and joins the campaign of women openly expressing themselves through picturesque to fight the marginalization and victimization of women and their body types and skin colour.

In her mid-twenties, Dokua Chicago grew up as a girl who loved glitz and glamour; in her own words, “I’ve always loved to create something beneficial to society but I had a lot of shortcomings especially with my friends who mostly made fun of my height and body type until I completed basic school… Recently in 2019 I realized most girls are going through a lot of emotional stress which has got to do with body shaming. Most girls aren’t proud of their looks which makes them indulge into unhealthy body reshaping and liposculpture or liposuction. I spoke to few photographers and they loved my idea about me going into photo modelling, I stormed the internet with few pictures, although I had a lot of people discouraging and bashing me especially friends and family..well I don’t blame them because I realized they don’t understand me and the whole concept of modelling..my main purpose is to stand tall and fight body shaming in the society. But this day as the world celebrates #NoBraDay as part of Breast Cancer Awareness, I have decided to join the campaign and flaunt these images of me in support of women who have suffered various forms of body shaming or undergone breast cancer problems.”

In her conversations with our Blog, BeenieWords.com, she also added that, women should embrace how small or big their breast is. They should go for frequent check-ups, eat healthily and should sometimes go-bra less to keep the breast in shape and stress free.”

You can follow Dokua Chicago on Instagram @Dokua__Chicago and on Twitter @ChicagoDoku

History of #NoBraDay

According to Wikipedia, “No Bra Day” is an annual observance on October 13, on which women are encouraged to forgo wearing a bra as a means to encourage Breast Cancer Awareness. No Bra Day was initially observed on July 9, 2011, but within three years it had moved to October 13, the month of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Users on social media are encouraged to post using the hashtag #NoBraDay to promote awareness of breast cancer symptoms and to encourage gender equality. Some users on social media sites also encourage women to post pictures of themselves not wearing a bra. Some women embrace No Bra Day as a political statement while others prefer the comfort of discarding what they view as a restrictive, uncomfortable garment.

The observance has spread worldwide. The event was spun off a medical event in Toronto, Canada, that encourages breast cancer survivors to consider reconstructive surgery. First held on October 19, 2011, the medical event was named BRA (Breast Reconstruction Awareness) Day. It was adapted by an anonymous individual who conceived of No Bra Day as a way to encourage women to enjoy being braless and to become knowledgeable about breast cancer symptoms.

(Story: Elorm Beenie)

Dokua Chicago Photo Credits: @LashPixels