Posted on 12/12/2007 7:15:50 PM PST by NormsRevenge
MADRID, Spain - Spain's government-run Women's Institute has labeled a 2008 calendar for low-cost airline Ryanair featuring bikini-wearing air hostesses as sexist and said it would be sending letters of complaint to Irish and EU authorities.
The institute, which defends women's rights, said that while the fact that the proceeds from calendar sales would go to charity was positive, the photographs "represent the stewardesses as sexual objects" and "reinforce discriminatory stereotypes."
"It is significant that that only women are used, in a sector in which there is a considerable percentage of men," the institute, which is part of the Labor and Social Affairs Ministry, said in a statement.
The calendars show the hostesses — one for each month — posing in bikinis on or outside airplanes. They are sold on Ryanair flights and on the Internet for 7 euros ($10.27). Proceeds go to the Irish disabled children's charity Angels Quest.
"We're not talking about morals or nudity here, it's simply how women are portrayed," institute spokeswoman Maria Jesus Ortiz said. "If there had been men in the calendar, I'm sure there would have been no controversy."
The Spanish union of consumers FACUA raised the issue Tuesday.
Ortiz said the institute would send a letter of complaint to the Irish Embassy in Spain and to the European Union's gender equality group. Ortiz added that the institute was seeking legal advice on what further action it might be able to take.
Ryanair had defended the calendar, saying the hostesses had posed voluntarily and that it was for a good cause.
They are sold on Ryanair flights and on the Internet for 7 euros ($10.27). Proceeds go to the Irish disabled children's charity Angels Quest.
Uhhhhh....that's against the rules! ;^)
for an abortion it's her body and shes free to do as she wishes... but pose for a picture, and the RATS are all up in arms and stuff.
I’m for all good causes!
Thanks!
I was .. uhhh.. looking... uhh.. for the news release, Yeah, The news release. ;-)
—
03.12.07
RYANAIR CABIN CREW CALENDAR STOCKS SELLING FAST – ONLY 3,000 LEFT!
BOOK NOW FOR A CHRISTMAS DELIVERY
ALL PROCEEDS GO TO ANGELS QUEST CHARITY
http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/news.php?yr=07&month=dec&story=gen-en-031207
Ryanair, Europe’s largest low fares airline, today (Monday, 3rd December 2007) announced that its Girls of Ryanair 2008 cabin crew calendar has been flying off the shelves. All proceeds go to the Angels Quest charity, which provides respite care for children with special needs and so far 7,000 out of 10,000 copies have sold.
Lots of passengers are buying their charity calendars on-line and we advise anyone wishing to do so to book this week for a guaranteed Christmas delivery. The calendars cost just £5/€7 and are an ideal stocking filler, while helping Angels Quest continue their great work for special needs children and their families.
Speaking today, Ryanair’s Head of Communications, Peter Sherrard said:
“Our Girls of Ryanair 2008 charity calendar has been causing quite a stir and with less than a month to Christmas, now is the time to order copies for your families and friends. The calendars are available on board all Ryanair flights and can also be booked from the comfort of your home on www.ryanair.com. For a guaranteed Christmas delivery, book today while stocks last”.
Thanks
How amazing... people who buy calenders are typically men, and they want to buy calenders of pictures of women. That’s outright sexist and biological! :)
Feminists - killing fun since 1901!
It is sexist. What about all the gay men flight attendants who wanted to pose in bikinis?
Next time there is no pictures, you are out of here.
Sorry, that won’t do atoll.
Where are the airplane pics? ;O)
That’s not it Atoll.
Got to be about the most profound statement I think I've heard all week. Thank you.
Oh snap! Classic.
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