Wonder Woman dropped as honorary UN ambassador for women

Wonder Woman has been dropped from her honorary ambassador role at the United Nations less than two months after being appointed to the role.

More than 40,000 people signed an online petition started by UN staff over concerns the appointment was not the best role model for girls, as the comic book character is skimpily dressed and prone to violence.

Those in support highlighted the character's pioneering, feminist roots and muscular bravery.

Rheal LeBlanc, head of press and external relations at the UN, said Wonder Woman's role as Honorary Ambassador for the Empowerment of Women and Girls would end this week.

Gal Gadot and Lynda Carter attend a ceremony at the UN Credit: PA

Two months ago Lynda Carter - who played Wonder Woman in the 1970s TV Show - and the actress who currently plays the character, Gal Gadot, attended a ceremony at the United Nations.

UN staff staged a silent protest at the event, holding placards saying "real women need a real ambassador" and "I am not a mascot".

United Nations staff protest the appointment of Wonder Woman. Credit: PA

The UN had planned to use Wonder Woman's image on social mediaplatforms to promote women's empowerment.

Honorary ambassadors are always fictional characters, with the UN asking Winnie the Pooh to be the honorary ambassador of friendship in 1998, and Tinker Bell to be the honorary ambassador of green in 2009.