What advice did the ministry give working mothers?

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The Ministry Advised Working Mothers to Maintain Their Appearance and Adopt Specific Communication Tactics

The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development issued a series of posters titled “Kebahagiaan Rumahtangga” or Household Happiness, which included specific guidance for mothers working from home. One poster advised these mothers to maintain their usual grooming standards and always appear neat. Another poster suggested wives use a "Doraemon-like" tone and giggle coyly when discussing household chores with their spouses, rather than nagging.
Guidance on Appearance for Working Mothers

A poster specifically targeted at mothers working from home emphasised the importance of personal presentation. It advised these women to "groom as usual" and to ensure they always looked neat, irrespective of their work-from-home status. This guidance was part of a broader series of posters released by the ministry.
Communication Strategies for Spousal Interaction

Further guidance was provided in a subsequent poster concerning how wives should communicate with their husbands regarding household chores. The advice was for wives to adopt a "Doraemon-like" tone and to giggle coyly when educating their spouse on domestic tasks. This approach was presented as an alternative to what the ministry termed "nagging."
Criticism of the Ministry's Messaging

Women's rights groups, including Empower Malaysia, the Women’s Centre for Change (WCC), and the All Women’s Action Society (AWAM), have strongly condemned these posters. They argued that the messages perpetuated harmful gender stereotypes, lacked gender sensitivity, and could potentially worsen gender inequality and even encourage domestic violence. Critics stated that the ministry should instead focus on addressing the implications of events like Covid-19 on women and promoting shared domestic responsibilities.

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What advice did the ministry give working mothers?

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