Imagine Speaking Like Doraemon To Solve Domestic Conflicts

(Please try not to read this in your Doraemon voice).

Yesterday, The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) received immense social media backlash after posting what seemed to be a PSA for women who are currently observing the Movement Control Order (MCO)

In a series of online posters shared cross the Ministry’s social media pages (that has since been deleted), KPWKM advised women across the country with the hashtag #WomenPreventCOVID19, on how best to avoid domestic conflicts while quarantined with their spouses at home.

In one poster depicting a man and woman hanging clothes on a railing, women were urged to avoid nagging at their spouses but to instead inject humour into their daily conversations by giggling and imitating the popular Asian cat robot, Doraemon….

Photo: KPWKM

Women were also told to avoid using “sarcasm” when asking for their husbands to help with house chores.

Photo: KPWKM

The ministry also advised women to wear makeup while working at home to look presentable at all times

Photo: KPWKM

The controversial postings caused immediate outrage from netizens who did not appreciate what they say are sexist undertones and outdated advice given by KPMKM.

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

Instead of “advising” women what to wear at home or how to cajole your husband with a Doraemon voice🤦🏽‍♀️, here are among > substantial things @KPWKM can focus on during this time (not in any particular order):
- Welfare of families hit by the #RMO - financial, mental health etc

— Gayathry V (@gayathry) March 31, 2020

Tiru nada Doraemon dan gelak manja? Kenapa wanita kena act cute to get your partner to play their role in the household? Cannot just ask them to do it with a normal nada suara is it?? pic.twitter.com/AOXX2DtKEr

— Cheryl Fernando (@cherylfernando) March 31, 2020

Some even got a little creative in their comments.

Even using their weird logic, I don’t even understand this advice.

Doraemon is a male robot cat. pic.twitter.com/btktDWmpdV

— Syahredzan Johan (@syahredzan) March 31, 2020

So you’re telling me there are people who watched Doraemon growing up and thought “damn that’s how my wife should speak 🤤”

— kartinee (@martineekag) March 31, 2020

Dear wife,

Whatever it might be, no matter what, if the day comes when you see me dejected, tired, or disinterested - DO NOT MAKE THE DORAEMON VOICE. NO.

I'll do it myself.

— KNB (@nizambakeri) March 31, 2020

Women don't need to put on cartoon voices in their own homes to be heard. And men shouldn't accept this kind of narrative. More so now, than ever, we need to rise up to be a better version of ourselves. I am a man and I am proud of doing a Doraemon voice.#stayhome #doraemon pic.twitter.com/1k13Gzh81l

— Harith Iskander (@HarithIskander) March 31, 2020

Even brands, companies and organizations, especially those fighting the rights of women, had a thing or two to say.

Women should never have to act like 'Doraemon' or childlike to be taken seriously. And even if they want to #GelakManjaDoraemon it's their own decision. #WanitaBukanDoraemon #AprilFoolIsTomorrow pic.twitter.com/XVUEuDTCV9

— Women's Aid Org (@womensaidorg) March 31, 2020

Pengumuman dalam nada Doraemon ya.

1) GrabCar & GrabExpress (Kereta) - 6 pagi-10 malam. Selaras dengan peraturan, hanya SATU penumpang untuk setiap kereta (tidak termasuk pemandu). Pesanan terakhir pada 9.30 malam.

— Grab Malaysia (@GrabMY) March 31, 2020

Isn't this better? ☺ pic.twitter.com/MPtORhKbgi

— Nando's Malaysia (@NandosMY) March 31, 2020

KPWKM yesterday (31 March) issued a statement of apology for its poor taste in advice.

“We are aware of the response of many parties to some tips for women being promoted during the Movement Control Order period through posters that have been posted on our social media pages,” the statement reads.

The ministry clarified that its initial intention was to share daily tips and positive messages on social media with the hashtag #WomenPreventCOVID19, which covers a variety of themes aiming at maintaining positive relationships within the family and while working at home.

“We apologize if some of the tips shared were inappropriate and seen as insensitive to certain groups. We will be more cautious in the future.”

 

 

 

 

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Kami mengambil maklum respon banyak pihak berhubung beberapa tips untuk wanita yang dipromosikan semasa berada di dalam tempoh Perintah Kawalan Pegerakan (PKP) melalui poster-poster yang telah disiarkan di media sosial kami. Pendekatan yang digunakan adalah untuk berkongsi kaedah dan amalan untuk mengekalkan hubungan yang positif dalam keluarga dan ketika menjalani fasa bekerja dari rumah. Pihak kami menghebahkan tips harian dan mesej positif dalam media sosial dengan kempen #wanitacegahcovid19 merangkumi pelbagai tema dengan matlamat untuk berkongsi maklumat kepada golongan wanita. Pihak kami memohon maaf sekiranya beberapa tips yang dikongsikan tidak bersesuaian dan menyentuh sensitiviti golongan tertentu serta akan lebih berhati-hati pada masa akan datang. Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Pembangunan Wanita 31 Mac 2020

A post shared by kpwkm (@kpwkm) on Mar 31, 2020 at 5:51am PDT

We are glad that the ministry took the time to reflect on the implication of its action. Let’s hope our partners won’t ever ask us to imitate a cartoon robot!

By: Siti Farhana Sheikh Yahya