Organizations for women’s rights have written in opposition to the UN Women UK’s choice to name a transgender woman as its “UK Champion.”
Following the decision to hire model and presenter Munroe Bergdorf, 36, to fill the position in November, they have expressed their “dismay and sorrow.”
Fair Play for Women, Sex Matters, Transgender Trend, and the Women’s Rights Network are among the organizations.
In an effort to improve the lives of women and girls as well as “empowering women’s equality globally within civil society, state, and the commercial sector,” UN Women UK collaborates with other UN organizations.
“We want to express our shock and disappointment at Munroe Bergdorf’s selection as a UN Women UK Champion,” the groups wrote in their joint letter, which was seen by The Times. “Munroe Bergdorf is inappropriate in every way. The well-known advocacy of Munroe Bergdorf is not in favor of women. This woman has objected to women mentioning their own bodies.”
I am so happy to start my new role.
Even though Ms. Bergdorf makes no mention of female bodies, they questioned how she could play such a role.
Prior to 2019, she served as a UN Women UK activist.
In an effort to put an end to violence against women and girls, Ms. Bergdorf has also supported the Draw a Line campaign.
She declared upon accepting the position, “I’m very proud to take on my new position as a UN Women UK Champion. Since I began working in the advocacy field more than ten years ago, working with the UN has been a specific goal and dream of mine. I don’t take this responsibility lightly.
I will use this position to further promote the advancement, safety, participation, and autonomy of all women and girls, as well as all identities and names. In order to help provide data and information that contributes to forming concrete methods of recording and countering it, I will continue to draw attention to the widespread and cultural impact of misogyny, transphobia, and gender-based inequality within the UK.”
