Women go to uni 'to find men to marry' says Boris Johnson
8th July 2013
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The Mayor of London has been reprimanded for making sexist remarks during the launch of an international event at City Hall, London.
The capital was the first western city to host the World Islamic Economic Forum, where Boris Johnson appeared alongside Malaysian prime minister, Najib Razak. When Razak celebrated an increase in the number of female university students in Malaysia, Johnson justified the increase by suggesting women apply to university merely to find a husband.
Razak said ‘Before coming here, my officials have told me that the latest university intake in Malaysia, a Muslim country, 68% will be women entering our universities’ but was interrupted by BoJo who remarked that “they have got to find men to marry’’.
The Everyday Sexism Project, a campaign group that records acts of sexism experienced by women called Johnson’s comments "pathetically archaic, unacceptably sexist and hopelessly out of touch".
Whilst some members of the audience were amused by his casual sexism, others groaned in despair as the ex-Conservative MP made another social faux pas. Johnson has previously been criticised for sexism after allegations about his treatment of female politicians.
Last year, according to Labour chair of the assembly Jennette Arnold, Boris had a “disrespectful, patronising way at meetings" to female assembly members. In retaliation Johnson responded ‘’I do not believe I have been remotely sexist."
The capital was the first western city to host the World Islamic Economic Forum, where Boris Johnson appeared alongside Malaysian prime minister, Najib Razak. When Razak celebrated an increase in the number of female university students in Malaysia, Johnson justified the increase by suggesting women apply to university merely to find a husband.
Razak said ‘Before coming here, my officials have told me that the latest university intake in Malaysia, a Muslim country, 68% will be women entering our universities’ but was interrupted by BoJo who remarked that “they have got to find men to marry’’.
The Everyday Sexism Project, a campaign group that records acts of sexism experienced by women called Johnson’s comments "pathetically archaic, unacceptably sexist and hopelessly out of touch".
Whilst some members of the audience were amused by his casual sexism, others groaned in despair as the ex-Conservative MP made another social faux pas. Johnson has previously been criticised for sexism after allegations about his treatment of female politicians.
Last year, according to Labour chair of the assembly Jennette Arnold, Boris had a “disrespectful, patronising way at meetings" to female assembly members. In retaliation Johnson responded ‘’I do not believe I have been remotely sexist."
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