Citizens mocked advice for women to wear makeup, dress neatly and not nag husbands

This article is more than 5 months old

This article is more than 5 months old

Malaysia’s government has apologised after its advice for women to wear makeup and not nag their husbands during the coronavirus lockdown sparked anger and mockery online.

The country has ordered citizens to stay at home to stem the spread of Covid-19. In a series of Facebook posts, the women’s ministry offered tips on how wives should behave while the restrictions were in place.

One now-deleted post showed a picture of a couple hanging clothes, next to a caption that urged women to “avoid nagging” their husbands – and to imitate the squeaky voice of Doraemon, a cartoon robot cat from Japan that is popular across Asia.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Doraemon, a Japanese robo-cat anime character: imitations of its squeaky voice were suggested. Photograph: Toru Yamanaka/AFP/Getty Images

Other posts advised women working at home to wear makeup and dress neatly rather than in casual clothes.

There was anger and disbelief over the posts, with one social media user asking: “How will dressing up and putting on makeup at home [prevent] Covid-19? Pray, tell?”

The women’s ministry apologised and conceded the advice may have offended some people. It pledged to “remain cautious in future” but claimed the suggestions were aimed at “maintaining positive relationships among family members during the period they are working from home”.

Lockdowns around the world bring rise in domestic violence Read more

There have been concerns over a surge in domestic violence worldwide caused by the stress of confinement, with experts suggesting job insecurity was increasing the likelihood of conflicts.

A government-run helpline in Malaysia for vulnerable people, including those affected by domestic abuse, has reported a more than 50% increase in calls since thelockdown began on 18 March, local media reported.