The United Nations named comic-book superhero Wonder Woman as an honorary ambassador to fight for gender equality on 21st October, amid criticism that the scantily clad fictional character was an inappropriate choice. Several dozen U.N. employees, one holding a sign saying "Women deserve a real ambassador," staged a silent protest in the U.N.'s visitor's lobby as the ceremony was held.
U.N. officials at a ceremony formalizing the appointment said Wonder Woman is known for her commitment to justice, peace and equality.
"Wonder Woman is an icon," said U.N. Under-Secretary-General Cristina Gallach. "We are very pleased that this character will help us reach new audiences with essential messages of our empowerment and equality."
But the selection has been met with opposition, and nearly 45,000 people signed an online petition asking U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to reconsider the choice.
"Although the original creators may have intended Wonder Woman to represent a strong and independent 'warrior' woman with a feminist message, 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."
'It is alarming that the United Nations would consider using a character with an overtly sexualised image at a time when the headline news in United States and the world is the objectification of women and girls." the petition reads.
Wonder Woman first emerged in the 1940s as the Amazonian warrior princess in All Star Comics and since 1986 Wonder Woman has been published "almost continuously" by DC Comics.
