Pamphlet promoting ‘feudal’ ideas about women’s role in family creates stir

Employees from the Civil Affairs Bureau in North China’s Hebei Province were suspended after disseminating a controversial pamphlet which was criticized by netizens as discriminating against women in the name of protecting traditional culture.

With over 130 pages, the pamphlet offers advice such as “Women should do more housework, spend less money and not be foodies,” and “Women must be dignified. Wearing clothes that do not cover the arms and legs is humiliating,” according to photos taken by a Sina Weibo user “xiaoxiaoyanba510.”

“Xiaoxiaoyanba510” went to the Civil Affairs Bureau of Fuxing district, Handan, Hebei Province to get a marriage certificate on Wednesday, where she received a pamphlet Harmony Brings Prosperity to the Family.

The post raised controversy on the internet, with many condemning it as promoting feudal thoughts and discriminating against women.

The post has been removed from her Weibo page as of press time.

Local authorities of Fuxing district admitted to inappropriate content of pamphlets and announced that the personnel involved were suspended from duty and under investigation. The copies that people picked up would be tracked down and recalled.

These pamphlets were donated by a middle-aged woman on August 2, local authorities were quoted as saying by China News Service.

Officials at the scene did not read the pamphlets carefully and kept them without the permission of their supervisors, as they were about family education.

The officials thought they might be useful for new couples, said local authorities.