The Malaysian Government has apologised after issuing coronavirus lockdown advice for women, which included speaking in a cartoon cat voice and avoiding nagging, after the move sparked a sexism row.

Key points: The posters were strongly criticised on social media and by women's advocacy groups

The posters were strongly criticised on social media and by women's advocacy groups The advice included urging women to wear makeup while working from home

The advice included urging women to wear makeup while working from home Malaysia is ranked 104 out of 153 countries in the Global Gender Gap index

The Ministry of Women and Family Development issued a series of online posters directed at women during the nation's partial lockdown, which began on March 18, including how to maintain happiness in the household and avoid disagreements with their husbands.

The series contained the hashtag #WanitaCegahCOVID19, which translates to Women Prevent COVID-19.

One of the campaign's posters depicts a man sitting on a sofa, and said women should refrain from being "sarcastic" if they need help with household chores.

Avoid nagging your husband, another poster said, but instead use humour or imitate the infantile voice of Doraemon, a blue robot cat from Japan that is hugely popular across Asia.

The ministry also urged women to dress up and wear makeup while working from home.

"We apologise if some of the tips we shared were inappropriate and touched on the sensitivities of some parties," the ministry said in a statement after the online posters sparked a public outcry.

The posters have since been removed.

'Extremely condescending'

The poster suggests that women shouldn't be "sarcastic" when their partners are not helping with housework. ( Facebook: Malaysia's Ministry of Women and Family Development )

Women's groups said the posters, uploaded on Facebook and Instagram, promote gender stereotypes and inequality.

"[It] is extremely condescending both to women and men," said Nisha Sabanayagam, a manager at All Women's Action Society, a Malaysian advocacy group.

"These posters promote the concept of gender inequality and perpetuate the concept of patriarchy."

The campaign also drew widespread ridicule online with social media users urging the Government to remove them.

"How did we go from preventing baby dumping, fighting domestic violence to some sad variant of the Obedient Wives Club?" Twitter user @yinshaoloong wrote.

"No tips on how to deal with domestic violence?" asked another user @honeyean.

Women's groups around the world have warned lockdowns could see a rise in domestic violence, with women trapped with their abusers.

Some governments have stepped up their responses, including Australia, which has committed extra money to domestic violence services, and France, which is offering hotel rooms to victims.

In Malaysia, a government hotline that helps domestic abuse victims and vulnerable children has received nearly 2,000 calls — more than double the usual number — since the start of the partial lockdown, local media reported.

Malaysia is ranked 104 out of 153 countries in the latest World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap index, after scoring poorly on political empowerment and economic participation.

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Reuters/ABC