Belgian uni apologises for ‘low neckline’ gaffe

A prestigious Belgian university apologised Wednesday for asking female medical students to dress with a “nice low neckline” to their graduation ceremonies.

The request, sent by email last week and which also asked male graduates to wear a suit, triggered a backlash at Brussels Free University.

The apparent motive was that the graduates would look better in their photos if they complied.

“From an aesthetic point of view, it is preferable if young women wear a dress or a skirt and a nice low neckline,” it said, though noting that such attire was not obligatory for females.

Hundreds of students had complained that the request was sexist.

In a climbdown, university spokesman Nicolas Dassonville said the original email was “entirely inappropriate” and it had smacked of “everyday sexism” that the institution has tried to eliminate.

A message posted on the medical faculty’s Facebook page also “sincerely apologised” to all the students who received the email.

“It goes without saying that the instructions relating to the clothing of young graduates are as inappropriate as they are contrary to the values defended daily by the university,” it added.