Ministry’s digital posters put women off
KOTA KINABALU: The recent digital posters that were published in social media by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) seems to be proof that it has a very male-centric mindset.
This is sad, considering that this is a ministry that is supposed to be upholding the rights of and helping women, said the founder and chairperson of Society for Equality, Respect and Trust for All (SERATA), Sabrina Aripen.
“SERATA is disappointed with the ministry as it seems to be making light of the seriousness of domestic violence.
“The ministry’s messaging through the posters seems to indicate that domestic violence can simply be solved by looking, sounding and behaving like pretty little things. The posters also indicate that the work in raising a family is a burden to be shouldered by women, and women alone,” she said.
“We are concerned that if KPWKM continues on this trajectory with the messaging, the ministry may produce a slew of men who think that it is permissible to be abusive to their wives if they don’t follow this ‘standard’ of behaviour.
“Women are already doing the majority of household duties and childcare, which are unpaid work, while also providing financially, whether through formal or informal means,” she further explained.
Citing a report by Khazanah Research Institute, Sabrina pointed out that women do twice as much of this unpaid work compared to men.
“While we are all restricted from leaving homes, shouldn’t the ministry be encouraging everyone in the family to share the load? This would be the perfect time for them to finally learn to do things together.
“The competence of people within this ministry is highly questionable after it fired two highly important NGO members who work with marginalized groups at the height of the Covid19 pandemic. It is even more so after the assistant minister has publicly indicated her support for child marriages.
“I would like to remind the ministry that the issue of women’s human rights is no easy matter, and it should consult with proper gender experts with their recommendations,” she said.
Recently, KPWKM posted posters on its Facebook page to advise mothers working from home, to groom and always look neat, not be sarcastic towards their spouses who do not help with housework and adopt a “Doraemon-like” tone and giggle.
The public service announcements (PSAs), however, received criticism not only from feminist groups, but netizens who are not happy with the “advice”.
Parenting writer, Natasha Sim, said, “Considering the fact that calls seeking help for domestic violence has drastically risen during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period, I find that the ministry that is meant to support and help women is misplacing its priorities.
“If this is meant to be a response to women seeking help for being abused, then it’s sorely lacking and poor response. Imagine if a woman who’s a victim saw that. Are we supposed to believe that by dressing better that her husband will stop beating the daylights out of her?” she asked.
“The messages then aren’t just sexist, they blame the victim. For what? For the failure to be a good housewife? It does not address the root causes of issues that plague women in Malaysia.
“It’s common knowledge that gender stereotypes perpetuate sexism. I’m concerned that the ministry will not be a ministry that will advocate for the justice of everyday Malaysian women,” added Sim.
The PSA did not only catch the attention of working mothers, but also single women who found the message as disturbing.
“I’m not married, still single and I do want to get married one day when love finds me. When I saw this photo advice from KPWKM making rounds in social media it really is disturbing.
“I thought we are moving towards gender equality? But this, indirectly putting the blame on the wives for all domestic cases. The Malaysian mindset has to change; man is not the king in the house. My vision of a happy marriage life is spouse that can respect each other and work together through the good, bad and bitter days. It’s an equal responsibility,” said Therenes Voo.
Nur Afiqah Roslan, echoed Voo, and said as an unmarried woman, she finds the statement or “suggestion” appalling.
“What kind of values or message are we sending to young girls and women? Should we not encourage healthy relationships between two consenting adults, in which both are equal and responsible for the well-being of the household?
“The success or happiness of a relationship or household should not depend solely on one party. It is a shared responsibility which requires effort from both. I believe in looking your best to feel good about yourself, and dressing up even at home can bring simple joy in these trying times. But on top of having to cook, clean and care for the rest of the family, as women are already expected to do, I find it ridiculous that we are now expected to add on to the list of ‘duties’... and for what? Simply to please the husband?” she asked.
“Looking put together can be a form of therapy for some, but it should only be done of their own accord and if it makes them feel good about themselves. To suggest that women should do all that to maintain household harmony is misogynistic,” she added.
The ministry’s PSA digital posters were uploaded onto both its social media, Facebook and Instagram pages.