The Limoges firefighters' association apologized in a press release following the dissemination of a calendar deemed sexist.
Several inhabitants of the region as well as associations had reported the photos featuring a former Miss Limousin in poses considered sexist.
The friendly Limoges firefighters recognized "a great clumsiness" and had to apologize after the excitement aroused by the publication of a calendar with photos deemed sexist, AFP learned in a statement on Friday.
In question, three photos featuring a former Miss Limousin.
We see her putting on makeup, wearing a firefighter's helmet, long dress and stiletto heels, or lying on a paddle in a suggestive position or straddling a rescuer.
"A mistake and a great clumsiness"
"We realize that we made a mistake and a great clumsiness in terms of communication. Our first desire was to stand out this year by publishing a very atypical calendar and we wanted to surf on a current trend by offering a concept a little 'sexy '", writes the friendly in its statement released Thursday.
"Our objective was not to shock or give a negative or even demeaning image of women, on the contrary the firefighters of Limoges and more generally of Haute-Vienne, have the greatest respect for women, a number of whom wear the uniform and honors our ranks of firefighters ", still defends the friendly in his press release.
"Against the values of firefighters"
"It hurts the profession. It's sexist, vulgar, shocking, inadmissible," admits an officer preferring to remain anonymous.
"Residents called the departmental fire and rescue service (SDIS) to complain about the publication. And they did well, I understand them," he continues.
Pierre Allard, president of the SDIS 87, recognized that these images went "against the values of the firefighters" while indicating that the responsibility fell only on the friendly.
“SDIS cannot support this”.
"The Amicale is an association and the communication service does not validate the photos published in the calendar, it is not our role", one underlines within the SDIS.
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Sancia Terrioux and Patricia Gaucher, respectively lawyer and director at the Information Center on the Rights of Women and Families (Cidff) in Limousin, denounced through this calendar "an ordinary sexism, which does not cause noise or harm , but shapes a certain image of women ".
"The woman represented is frivolous, superficial and in all circumstances, she prettifies herself", regret the two employees of Cidff.
The amicale said it would make a donation to a local association for the prevention and fight against violence against women.