On first glance the viral memes of Ivanka Trump ‘gazing’ at Justin Trudeau, are pretty funny. Not so different from the ones that had been doing the rounds of Joe Biden looking lovingly at Barack Obama. However, on closer inspection the photos of Trump’s daughter and Justin Trudeau were taken at a White House meeting about the challenges faced by women in the workforce.

Ivanka, who was attending a roundtable meeting on Monday about this serious issue, was undermined with implications that she was not taking the matter seriously, instead being distracted by the Prime Minister of Canada’s good looks. Not only does that make it seem like her priority was ogling Trudeau as opposed to the issue in hand, it also implies that she is incapable of conducting business with a man without thinking about him as a romantic or sexual partner.

While in reality Ivanka’s facial expressions were likely to have been conveying engagement and interest in the subject matter, the memes imply that a woman cannot look or smile at a man without having romantic intentions. Are we expected to frown? To avert our gaze? If she had done so, Ivanka would have been criticised for being “moody” or “immature”.

In 90 seconds: Trump and Trudeau differ over border control

One of the biggest challenges faced by women in the workforce is this kind of double standard and the fact that our professional capabilities are constantly scrutinised. If we demonstrate leadership we’re “bossy”, and if we’re critical we’re “bitchy”, but if we’re conscious of pleasing people or don’t speak up we’re “submissive”.

Critics of the Trump administration may assume that Ivanka and her father are tarnished with the same brush, however her father’s track record is not an acceptable reason for her to be subject to this same form of abuse. If anything, we should be doing all we can to demonstrate solidarity against his behaviour.

The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Show all 9 1 /9 The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the media White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer takes questions during the daily press briefing Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Union leaders applaud US President Donald Trump for signing an executive order withdrawing the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations during a meeting in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington DC. Mr Trump issued a presidential memorandum in January announcing that the US would withdraw from the trade deal Getty The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Mexico wall A US Border Patrol vehicle sits waiting for illegal immigrants at a fence opening near the US-Mexico border near McAllen, Texas. The number of incoming immigrants has surged ahead of the upcoming Presidential inauguration of Donald Trump, who has pledged to build a wall along the US-Mexico border. A signature campaign promise, Mr Trump outlined his intention to build a border wall on the US-Mexico border days after taking office Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and abortion US President Donald Trump signs an executive order as Chief of Staff Reince Priebus looks on in the Oval Office of the White House. Mr Trump reinstated a ban on American financial aide being granted to non-governmental organizations that provide abortion counseling, provide abortion referrals, or advocate for abortion access outside of the United States Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Dakota Access pipeline Opponents of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines hold a rally as they protest US President Donald Trump's executive orders advancing their construction, at Columbus Circle in New York. US President Donald Trump signed executive orders reviving the construction of two controversial oil pipelines, but said the projects would be subject to renegotiation Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and 'Obamacare' Nancy Pelosi who is the minority leader of the House of Representatives speaks beside House Democrats at an event to protect the Affordable Care Act in Los Angeles, California. US President Donald Trump's effort to make good on his campaign promise to repeal and replace the healthcare law failed when Republicans failed to get enough votes. Mr Trump has promised to revisit the matter Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Donald Trump and 'sanctuary cities' US President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January threatening to pull funding for so-called "sanctuary cities" if they do not comply with federal immigration law AP The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the travel ban US President Donald Trump has attempted twice to restrict travel into the United States from several predominantly Muslim countries. The first attempt, in February, was met with swift opposition from protesters who flocked to airports around the country. That travel ban was later blocked by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The second ban was blocked by a federal judge a day before it was scheduled to be implemented in mid-March SANDY HUFFAKER/AFP/Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and climate change US President Donald Trump sought to dismantle several of his predecessor's actions on climate change in March. His order instructed the Environmental Protection Agency to reevaluate the Clean Power Plan, which would cap power plant emissions Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

This is why, in my opinion, the most worrying thing here is the title given by The Huffington Post on their coverage of the viral memes: “Ivanka Trump Looked Thirsty AF While Glancing At Justin Trudeau”. As if people weren’t worried enough about Donald Trump’s sexist behaviour, this headline from a reputable publication could be straight out of a misogynistic male forum.

The terminology “thirsty AF” not only evokes imagery of drooling, salivating, and lapping, it also implies desperation (which is how urban dictionary defines the word ‘thirsty’). Is this married, successful businesswoman really ‘swooning’ over Trudeau in the middle of an important meeting about issues pertaining to women in the workplace? We know that is not her number one priority, and it’s dangerous that The Huffington Post could be implying otherwise, and following in President Trump’s footsteps.