Supermarket giant attacked over sale of ‘sexist’ T-shirt’

Women’s groups said the shirt – which showed silhouettes of women in the sights of binoculars beneath the slogan “Bird Watching” – was “objectionable” and Tesco’s decision to sell it “deeply concerning”.

The supermarket said the £6 own-brand shirt, which had been on sale in shops and on the internet, was a “humorous item” which was no longer on sale.

“This T-shirt is objectionable on so many levels,” said Anna van Heeswijk, campaigns manager for lobby organisation Object.

“It promotes voyeurism, dehumanises females into sex objects and uses sexist language to refer to women as ‘birds’. These messages about women are worrying.”

Object said it had previously criticised Tesco for selling and displaying “degrading and pornographic lads’ mags” and has mounted a high-profile campaign to target retailers selling items it argues contribute to the “pornification” of children, such as Playboy branded bedding for children.

Somali Cerise, prevention manager for the End Violence Against Women Coalition, added: “It is deeply concerning that a major high street retailer such as Tesco sells products that perpetuate the sexualisation of women.

“Our research shows that sexual harassment of young women is commonplace.

“Products like these T-shirts create a culture of acceptance and normalisation of sexual harassment.

“We are calling on Tesco to take a more responsible and ethical stance to what it sells, rather than send out messages that it is acceptable for men to leer at and ogle women.”

Tesco, which also offers a “Sid the Sexist” T-shirt on the internet, said no offence had been intended.

“It is of course never our intention to cause offence,” said a spokesman. “The T-shirt, which was intended as a humorous item of casual wear, was on clearance and is no longer on sale.”