Malaysian woman minister advises men to 'gently beat stubborn wives' in Instagram video
A female minister in has sparked outrage byoffering men advice on how to "discipline" wives who display “unruly” behaviour.
Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff, a member of parliament in Malaysia who serves as the deputy for women, family and community development, has been accused of "normalising" in thevideo she posted to herofficialInstagram page.
In the video, called Mother’s Tips, Yusoff tellshusbands to first speak to “undisciplined and stubborn wives” and, if they are not cooperative, to sleep apart from them for three days.
Should the wife not take her husband’s advice, and if her behaviour does not "change"after the three-day period, Yusoff said: "The husband can try the physical touch approach, which isgentle, which is to educate, which is full of love, to show his strictness and how much he wants her to change".
The pandemic has only seen an increase in domestic abuse with a total of 9,015 cases were reported - predominantly against women. This so called ‘advice’ by the deputy minister is a disservice and goes against current realities & needs. Reference tbc 1/3
— Nurul Izzah Anwar 🇲🇾 🌺 (@n_izzah)
Yusoff, a member of the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), additionally advised that must seek their husbands’ permission to speak, in order to "win them"over.
Women must only speak to their spouses"when they are calm" and have "finished eating, have prayed and are relaxed", she added.
Several women’s organisations have backed the Joint Action for Gender Equality (JAG)’s call for Yusoff toresignover the video, which they deemed "in support for domestic violence, and accused her of perpetuating behaviours that are opposed to gender inequality."