Twitter users are fighting back against the ‘sexist’ media to prove that they are more than shoes.
The public backlash started after the Sun tweeted about Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s meeting with PM Theresa May – and chose to focus on her shoes. In the tweet, they said, “Nicola Sturgeon tries to out-shoe Theresa May with crocodile-skin stilettos for crunch Downing Street meeting.”
Nicola Sturgeon tries to out-shoe Theresa May with crocodile-skin stilettos for crunch Downing St meeting https://t.co/9ty72weQEi
— Sun Politics (@SunPolitics) October 24, 2016
Women 50:50, the campaign group calling for a 50:50 split within the Scottish Parliament hit back tweeting, “Listen journalists. If you type a woman leader’s name and “shoes” in the same sentence, do us a favour and delete your article. Cheers.” They also asked their followers what important things they were managing to get done whilst also wearing shoes.
Listen journalists. If you type a woman leader’s name and “shoes” in the same sentence, do us a favour and delete your article. Cheers. pic.twitter.com/9cZ1bP8LNC
— Women 50:50 (@Women5050) October 24, 2016
Thousands of women have criticised the tweet and the hashtag, #WeAreMoreThanShoes was created. Women are now posting images of their shoes, alongside captions of the amazing things they have been doing.
The media regularly focuses on women’s clothing and appearance, with a particular increase since Theresa May was elected as Prime Minister.
In a TV interview, May argued, “It is interesting that people focus on my shoes, I don’t think they’ve focused on Philip Hammond’s or Boris Johnson’s in quite the same way.”
“But look…it gives me an excuse to go and buy new shoes.”
Below are just some of tweets featuring the #WeAreMoreThanShoes hashtag:
Prepping speech for vigil for survivors of sexual assault and rape today, but here’s my boots. #WeAreMoreThanShoes pic.twitter.com/sL3IbPchrf
— Brenna (@NennaBaston) October 25, 2016
The team at WE central office is busy bringing gender equality to the top of the political agenda, in various footwear. #WeAreMoreThanShoes pic.twitter.com/a4hrC7i1xY
— WomensEqualityUK (@WEP_UK) October 25, 2016
Providing anaesthesia for trauma patients all day then on call for obstetric patients all night #WeAreMoreThanShoes pic.twitter.com/ZqSxX0rt1s
— Claire Williams (@Indielynx) October 25, 2016
Thank god #WeAreMoreThanShoes cause mines are really boring. Almost like they’re not relevant in any way. pic.twitter.com/O6UdqDb9rF
— Emma McShane (@McShaaaaane) October 25, 2016
I work on a construction site AND I’m wearing a skirt. The misogynists minds must be blown! #WeAreMoreThanShoes pic.twitter.com/OgRYQ9k03Z
— Leanne Mackenzie (@LeanneM_INV) October 25, 2016
Hearing about inspiring collaborations in education, research & gender equality @ #AfricaDay2016 #WeAreMoreThanShoes pic.twitter.com/3zV244HzYB
— Jen Wright (@JennWrights) October 25, 2016
Fighting for equality in STEM and still managing the day job #wearemorethanshoes #womeninengineering pic.twitter.com/wlf0dHu82h
— WES YMB (@YMB1919) October 25, 2016
Join the discussion at #WeAreMoreThanShoes
