Stall displayed sexist images and language which have been condemned as “tasteless and offensive”
The University of Algarve has opened an internal investigation after sexist messages promoting the exchange of alcohol for female nudity were displayed at a student-run stall during the university’s popular Semana Académica festival (Academic Week).
The stall, displaying crude language and graphic images of female body parts and genitalia, also encouraged female customers to show their breasts in exchange for “10 shots.”
Cristóvão Norte, regional leader of PSD Algarve, took to social media to condemn the situation.
“I respect the students of the University of Algarve, the Academic Week and even some harmless excesses, which I also committed. But I always respect women and their role in society more, and repudiate the abject idea of women as a ‘thing’, which represents an attack on their dignity,” the MP wrote.
While the language displayed is “tasteless,” Norte took particular offense with the attempts to dare women into showing their body in exchange for alcohol. “It is very sad and revolting. Not the act, but what it reveals.”
In response, the university’s rector Paulo Águas ordered a disciplinary inquiry to determine the extent of student involvement and potential accountability, describing the situation as “offensive to humanist, egalitarian, and democratic values.”
The university vows that it “does not tolerate nor condone behaviour, be it from students or any other members of the academic community, that offends the dignity of all citizens, no matter their background, sex, race, language, land of origin, religion, political or ideological beliefs, education, economic or social situation or sexual orientation.”
Rodrigo Carlos, president of the university’s student association, confirmed that the offensive materials would be removed on Tuesday afternoon. “Some of the displayed content was found to be sensitive by attendees, and we’ve agreed with the university to remove it entirely,” he told Lusa news agency.
Carlos acknowledged that Academic Week stalls often feature satire and social commentary, but said the organisation was cooperating fully to remove the offensive content.
