The United Nation has been in hot water for appointing a comic book character Wonder Woman on its 75th birthday as an honorary ambassador for empowerment of women and girls, which didn't receive a warm embrace from both the organization and the public around the world. Shouldn't the position be given to a real existing woman?
The decision made by U.N. sparked controversy leading to an online petition signed by more than 1,000 of its own staff members, is asking the secretary-general to reconsider the appointment, noting that the character is too sexualized and is not an appropriate choice, The Jakarta Post published.
During the ceremony, U.N. staff members silently turned their backs to the stage with some of them holding their fists in the air as a sign of protest. Cass Durant, U.N. staffer, held a sign saying "Real Women Deserve a Real Ambassador. We don't think that a fictitious comic book character wearing basically what looks like a Playboy-type bunny outfit is really the right message we need to send to girls or even boys for that matter," the site added.
While the online petition reads as, "It is alarming that the United Nations would consider using a character with an overtly sexualized image at a time when the headline news in United States and the world is the objectification of women and girls."
Adding, "The reality is that the character's current iteration is that of a large breasted, white woman of impossible proportions, scantily clad in a shimmery, thigh-baring body suit with an American flag motif and knee high boots-the epitome of a 'pin-up' girl."
The organization is set to launch a social media campaign promoting women empowerment and gender-equality, which is aiming to reach the youngsters of today.
According to U.N. official Maher Nasser, Wonder Woman has long been considered a feminist icon, stating, "The focus [of the UN] was on her feminist background, being the first female superhero in a world of male superheroes and that basically she always fought for fairness, justice and peace," BBC detailed.
Honorary ambassadors are appointed to fictional characters such as Winnie the Pooh, who was awarded as Honorary Ambassador of Friendship in 1998, and Tinker Bell as Honorary Ambassador of Green in 2009.
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