In the midst of a global pandemic, the Malaysian government has drawn criticism for its controversial advice regarding women’s behavior during the lockdown. As the nation grapples with nearly 3,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases, the Ministry for Women, Family, and Community Development released a series of online posters that instructed women to dress up and apply makeup even while staying home. In an equally perplexing twist, the ministry advised women to refrain from nagging their husbands during this period of quarantine, all under the hashtag #WomenPreventCOVID19. This bizarre guidance overshadowed essential health information such as practicing social distancing and hand hygiene.
The response from the public was swift and negative, leading to the posters being removed shortly thereafter. Many expressed outrage that such superficial advice was prioritized when serious health issues were at stake. “These messages are not only patronizing to women but also to men,” stated Aisha Rahmat, an advocate with the group Gender Equality Now. “They reinforce outdated notions of gender roles and inequality.”
Just a short time after the backlash, the ministry quickly distanced itself from the campaign, claiming that the intention was to support “positive family dynamics during remote work.” This campaign surfaced alongside a government order indicating that only “heads of household” could venture out for groceries, leading many to assume that meant men only. Confusion ensued, with social media flooded with images of bewildered husbands attempting to navigate grocery stores while on phone calls with their wives giving instructions from home.
What Malaysia should focus on instead is maintaining access to essential services like grocery shopping for all family members and disseminating accurate, science-based information to keep everyone safe. The promotion of such outdated and sexist guidelines does not aid anyone in the fight against COVID-19.
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Conclusion
The Malaysian government’s misguided focus on women’s appearances during a health crisis raises concerns about gender equality and priorities in communication. With people facing real threats to their health, it is crucial to shift the narrative towards practical safety measures and equitable treatment for all.