Anti-women bias in TV show draws flak

dubai — A reality show that features 12 contestants competing against each other in housework challenges faced backlash from viewers after its premiere last week in Dubai.

Named after an Egyptian film from the 1950s, the Mother-inLaw Bootcamp that premiered on Fatafeat last Friday shows three Egyptian celebrities — Rania Yousef, Hala Sedky and Sawsan Badr — take the role of hard-toplease mothers-in-law as they evaluate 12 young women on how good they perform housework.

In each episode, contestants face challenges designed to test their suitability in housework from keeping a clean house and managing children to de-feathering chickens and even milking a cow in a bid to win a house.

While the production team said the programme aims to provide an entertainment experience that features “tensions and escapades of young brides desperate to win the approval of judges,” it has attracted huge waves of criticism.

“The idea of winning over the mother-in-law’s approval because you are able to do housework is very backward and the opposite of women empowerment,” said Dubai resident Noor Ibrahim.

She noted the show could have been fun if both men and women were featured competing to do the tasks. “If a woman can balance work and home, then good, but she shouldn’t be expected to do it and be judged if she doesn’t,” said Ibrahim.

Farah Nada, Egyptian resident, said the idea of having women judged in accordance to housework reduces the role of women in society to the skills she performs in the house.

“It limits them down to the roles society requires them to perform to be successful brides, making light their roles as wives, mothers and career women,” said Nada.

Susan Smith, associate professor at the American University of Sharjah’s mass communication department, said the programme’s suggestion that women are valued upon how well they take care of home would attract criticism.

“It suggests that because she is

If a woman can balance work and home, then good, but she shouldn’t be expected to do it and be judged if she doesn’t.”

Noor Ibrahim, Dubai resident

female and can have children; she then belongs only in the home, taking care of the children,” said Smith, who teaches a course on women and film.

“It further suggests that women will be valued upon how well they take care of that home, regardless of successful careers.”

Smith noted that the programme further strengthens the division of family roles in society that caused women to face economic and emotional struggle under such strict rules.

“The message that men should work outside the home and women should stay home and be wives and mothers. Many of today’s females are refusing such societal pressures because they can find fulfillment both in and outside the home. They should be free to choose to do either or both,” said Smith.

Sharjah resident Tamara Abueish said in the 21st century, society must work further to reinforce the idea that a woman’s job is not limited to cleaning the house and looking after the children.

“If anything, the progress Arab women have made and their continuous fight for their rights prove that we are more than just housewives.”

Shahd Al Barghouthi, a Dubai resident, said it is sad to see the importance of having women excel housekeeping and cleaning skills than focusing on bigger issues that make a difference in their lives. “While talks of gender equality taking place around the world, we should get over the idea that women must perform certain tasks or be deemed ‘unfit’” said Barghouthi.

Nothing but a fun take

Meanwhile, Nahla Elmallawany, the head of content at Discovery Networks Mena, said the reality series aims to take a light-hearted look at “one of the common life tests many women will face in their lives.”

She noted that the programme features contestants who are modern successful women, besides the three high-profile female celebrity judges.

“We want to showcase that women can master anything they aim for; a successful career and happy family life. We hope our audiences are thoroughly entertained by this new show,” said Elmallawany in a statement.

sherouk@khaleejtimes.com

It limits them down to the roles society requires them to perform to be successful brides, making light their roles as wives, mothers and career women.”

Farah Nada, Egyptian resident

If anything, the progress Arab women have made and their continuous fight for their rights proves that we are more than just housewives.” Tamara Abueish, Sharjah resident

Today’s women are refusing societal pressures because they can find fulfillment both in and outside home. They should be free to choose to do either or both.” Susan Smith, associate professor, AUS

While talks of gender equality taking place around the world, we should get over the idea that women must perform certain tasks or be deemed ‘unfit’.” Shahd Al Barghouthi, Dubai resident