Wonder Woman: Backlash over U.N. move to name the comic book character an honorary ambassador.
UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations celebrated Wonder Woman’s 75th birthday on Friday by naming the comic book character as its new Honorary Ambassador for the Empowerment of Woman and Girls, despite frustration from both inside and outside the world organization that the spot should go to a real — and less sexualized — woman.
The ceremony at the Economic and Social Council chamber, was marred by some 50 U.N. staffers who silently turned their back to the stage, some with their fists in the air.
The superheroine’s image will be used by the United Nations on social media platforms to promote women’s empowerment, including on gender-based violence and the fuller participation of women in public life (using the hashtag WithWonderWoman). The push, hoping to reach young people, is backed by DC Entertainment and Warner Bros., which produce both comics and films featuring Wonder Woman.
The event brought together actress Lynda Carter, who played Wonder Woman in the 1970s TV series, and Gal Gadot, who has taken on the role in the forthcoming “Wonder Woman” film.
Honorary ambassadors — as opposed to goodwill ambassadors like Nicole Kidman and Anne Hathaway — are fictional characters. The United Nations previously tapped Winnie the Pooh to be an honorary Ambassador of Friendship in 1998 and Tinker Bell as the honorary Ambassador of Green in 2009.
But an online petition, started by U.N. staffers, asked the secretary-general to reconsider the appointment for a real person, saying “The message the United Nations is sending to the world with this appointment is extremely disappointing.” As of Friday afternoon, it had more than 1,000 signatures.
Shazia Rafi, managing director of the consulting firm Global Parliamentary Services, also took issue with Wonder Woman’s skimpy outfit, arguing that the world might not embrace a scantily clad character in a thighbaring body suit with an American flag motif and knee-high boots.