UN picks Wonder Woman as women’s envoy, sparks protests

UNITEDNATIONS: The United Nations on Friday designated Wonder Woman to head a women’s rights campaign, drawing angry protests from feminist groups and some UN employees who denounced the appointment of a comicbook character as “ridiculous.”

The UN tabbed the fictional superheroine to lead a yearlong campaign for the “empowerment of women and girls.” But a website created by protesters slammed Wonder Woman as “the epitome of a ‘pin-up’ girl” -- “a largebreasted white woman of impossible proportions, scantily clad in a shimmering thighbaring body suit with an American flag motif.”

Adding to the Hollywood feel, the announcement was made in the presence of the actress Lynda Carter, now 65, who played the part on television, and of Diane Nelson, DC Entertainment president.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was not present. Neither was Antonio Guterres of Portugal, picked as the next UN chief despite protests that it was time — after eight men in a row — for a woman to hold the top UN position.

In the back of the room several dozen protesters, both women and men, turned their back to the podium, some of them holding up clenched fists. AFP

AP United Nations staff stand and turn their backs in a silent protest over Wonder Woman being picked as envoy for women.

DCCOMICS.COM Many said the picking of the comic book character was ridiculous.