We consider Rector Boras's statement last night to be sexist, regardless of the justifications offered. The promotion of the cadets of the military academy was dedicated to the achievements of these young people in their education, therefore singling out the cadet on the basis of gender (requiring her to remove her mask) and redirecting attention to her physical appearance is completely inappropriate. Boras's invitation to take a photo of the cadet without her mask momentarily changed the meaning of the event and placed the cadet in a specific position in relation to her colleagues – this is clearly visible from the footage, in which the male colleague steps back so as not to be in the frame. In addition to being personally unpleasant, such a situation sent a message about the different treatment of women in certain social contexts, with their professional or other achievements falling into the shadow of imposed standards of femininity. In his justification, Boras claims that this is not a stereotype, but at the same time resorts to the following formulations: "so, I consider all women beautiful" and "she is also beautiful in a feminine sense", which clearly indicates that this is a gender-based criterion. We regret that the rector does not realize that such behavior is discrimination, which leads us to conclude that he does not understand the concept of gender equality. And it is precisely in the spirit of gender equality that we would like to congratulate the young cadets on their successes, which no one's inappropriate behavior can diminish.
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