Mayor branded 'sexist' for offering washing machine as female prize at International Women's Day rally

A South American mayor was accused of sexism after promising a free washing machine to one female visitor at an International Women’s Day rally.

Carlos Chandia, the mayor of Coihueco, offered the washing machine as a top raffle prize form one lucky woman who attended the council-organised rally in Chile.

Mr Chandia said he was hoping to inspire women to attend the event by advertising the prize in women’s magazines - only to cancel the offer when council officers were flooded with complaints.

He said he was hoping to inspire women to attend the event, but was forced to cancel the offer when the council offices were flooded with people complaining.

They branded the mayor sexist and naive and many took to social networks to point out that a washing machine was not something most women would regard as a suitable prize.

He said: 'I was given it as a donation by a constituent and they suggested it might be suitable prize, I didn't think anything of it really.

‘But I apologise that I was misunderstood , and will make sure there is a committee to choose the prizes in future years.'

Spokesman for the Department of Community Development (Dideco) in the town, Victor Flores, said it was an 'honest mistake' and that the only purpose of the contest was 'to honour' women on their day.

At the end of last year a magazine in the country was accused of 'sexism' after promoting a competition aimed at women offering a vacuum cleaner as the first prize.

International Women's Day, which takes place on March 8th, represents an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women while calling for greater equality.