Sexism seem to be rearing its ugly head, ironically, at the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM).

At least on their social media pages.

'Sexist tone'

A public service announcement (PSA) posted on the Ministry's Instagram and Facebook pages titled 'Kebahagian Rumah Tangga Dibina Bersama - Bagaimana untuk elakkan pergaduhan suami insteri di rumah' (Household Happiness Is Achieved Together - How to avoid fights between spouses) has received the ire of netizens for its sexist tone.

This post has been removed after backlash

While the texts in the images and captions can be deemed gender neutral (it is, after all, in Malay - a generally genderless language), the images accompanying the texts clearly depicts that housework is a woman's job, as is keeping the peace at home.

Out of the three images posted, the second one that says "Jika melihat pasangan melakukan sesuatu yang bercanggah dengan kehendak kita, elakkan berleter - gunakan perkataan 'humourous' seperti 'cara sidai baju macam ni la, sayang' (tiru nada Doremon diikuti dengan gelak manja", drew the most ire.

[Translation: If you see your partner doing something against your wishes, avoid nagging - use humourous words such as 'this is how you hang the clothes, love' (copy Doremon's tone followed by a giggle)].

Update: The ministry has removed the post about using 'Doremon voice' but the other two, which are also sexist, are still up on their Facebook.

Household chores are shared responsibilities

The whole post is so problematic, we don't even know where to begin!

Netizens are not pleased

From implying that housework is not a shared burden and when men do it, it's to assist and not a part of their responsibility, to reducing a woman's worth to how 'cute' and conciliatory they can be, the post is extremely worrying in general.

But even more so because it's published on an official government's social media pages run by a ministry that is supposed to empower women, children and families.

The post itself received only negative comments on Instagram, but many, including women's rights groups, have called out the ministry for the sexism shown in the post.

Yes, sometimes people get so busy telling women how to behave, how to dress, how to feel, how to take a joke, how to act, how to keep a husband and maintain a family that it becomes easy to forget that she is human.#COVID19Malaysia #PKP #DudukRumah https://t.co/cM7Xi35dZ7
— All Women’s Action Society (@AWAMMalaysia) March 31, 2020

That wasn't the only post by KPWKM that shows complete lack of respect for women and men (isn't it insulting to be labeled as someone who can't shop for basic household needs, clean, or appreciate women for all that they are and not what they can do for you?).

Another post, calling mothers who work from home to dress 'pretty' and wear make up, has also gone viral and not for the right reasons.

View this post on Instagram

PKP Hari ke-10. Assalamualaikum dan Selamat Pagi, Cuti yang begitu panjang dan perlu bekerja dari rumah adalah sesuatu yang sukar untuk para ibu kerana acap kali hilang fokus dalam sesuatu perkara yang dilakukan. Oleh itu, Kami telah menyediakan tips untuk bekerja di rumah bagi membantu untuk anda kekal produktif dan fokus. Suka juga untuk kami ingatkan, jangan terlalu leka dalam bekerja sehingga ahli keluarga tidak dipantau sehingga boleh mengakibatkan pelanggaran Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan yang sedang berkuatkuasa. Wanita Gembira, Keluarga Bahagia. #wanitacegahcovid19 #kitakankeluarga
A post shared by kpwkm (@kpwkm) on Mar 26, 2020 at 6:38pm PDT

Avoid wearing home clothes. Dress up as usual, put on make-up and dress neatly. OMG! This is what Rina, our Minister of Women, Family & Community Development thinks is important during the #COVID19 lockdown? No tips on how to deal with #DomesticViolence? Just state DV is a crime. pic.twitter.com/FfswtPBIPH
— Honey Tan (@honeyean) March 31, 2020

Dear @KPWKM,This is misogynistic. You're supposed to be involved in women's development, not set women's right back fifty years. Might as well make a post to tell women to be quiet and make your husbands sandwich.If you don't see what's wrong with this post, please resign. pic.twitter.com/foiDCMXRRe
— JohanJuhari (@JohanAJuhari) March 31, 2020

Dear @KPWKM:1. Nagging, or berleter, is a gender-biased word. It perpetuates sexist stereotypes.2. Carework is the responsibility of men AND women.Please do better in your PSA posters. Personally, I found all of these to be problematic. pic.twitter.com/FFFGmdMqE9
— Melisa Melina Idris (@melisa_idris) March 31, 2020

Saya bersimpati kepada kaum hawa.Di luar masyarakat dah letak tekanan untuk kelihatan 'wanita', dalam rumah kerajaan juga beri penekanan sama. Ini satu pemikiran yang serong.Tiadakah ruang selamat dan selesa untuk ibu dan kakak kita? https://t.co/eOmvJVvXNR pic.twitter.com/Tudw8XwuLB
— Adli Zakuan (@ADLIZAKUAN) March 31, 2020

This is shameful KPWKM! Your ministry is supposed to be about developing women, children and community, not bringing them down.

We hope KPWKM somehow finds a way to fix this mess.

KPWKM's Misogynistic COVID-19 Public Service Announcement Draws Flak Online

'Sexist tone'

Netizens are not pleased