In the original series - Uhura wasn't a girlfriend at all, and was in some ways groundbreaking. I sort of wish they kept with that here, although I get why they went with Spock/Uhura and I have no problems with it - it does work and it does give Spock a bit more depth, not so much Uhura (he's her teacher and she fell in love with him - sort of a cliche - but Spock = his involvement goes against logic and is clearly emotional, which give him depth.) On the other hand they do give her things to do, she actually does more here than she did in the original. So you're correct she's not just a girl-friend.
I couldn't remember if the other woman wore trousers or not in the film. If they did, then the short skirt may just be keeping with Uhrua and well, it would be odd not to see her in them.
You are correct both societies were sexist in the original and here. Which is to a degree a reflection of our society which continues to be sexist, although far less so than it used to be. In the 1960s - women had to wear skirts in most occupations. Trousers weren't permitted. And the shorter the better in some of them, specifically the airline industry.
Re: Short Skirts
On the other hand they do give her things to do, she actually does more here than she did in the original. So you're correct she's not just a girl-friend.
I couldn't remember if the other woman wore trousers or not in the film. If they did, then the short skirt may just be keeping with Uhrua and well, it would be odd not to see her in them.
You are correct both societies were sexist in the original and here.
Which is to a degree a reflection of our society which continues to be sexist, although far less so than it used to be. In the 1960s - women had to wear skirts in most occupations. Trousers weren't permitted. And the shorter the better in some of them, specifically the airline industry.