PETALING JAYA: Social media users are up in arms over a screenshot purportedly of a school textbook suggesting that young girls will be cut off from their friends and bring shame to their families if they have sex.
The page details how the parents of a fictional character, Amira, advise their daughter to respect the “modesty of her private parts” and “save her dignity” in three ways.
Firstly, Amira is told to always wear appropriate clothing. Secondly, she must close the room door when she is changing, and thirdly, she should avoid walking in secluded areas if she is alone.
If Amira fails to respect the “modesty of her private parts”, the book says, she will bring shame to her family and face embarrassment and emotional distress.
The book also says her friends will shun her for the act.
Taking to Twitter this morning, Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy CEO Azrul Mohd Khalib said the screengrab, said to be from a health studies textbook for Year 3, justified “victim blaming” on girls.
“Not only does this put the responsibility of preventing sexual harassment solely on the shoulders of a girl, it also implies that she had it coming!” Azrul tweeted. “Shaming kids is not acceptable.”
This prompted a reply from Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Hannah Yeoh, who was tagged in the tweet. The Segambut MP said she agreed with Azrul, and that “this needs to be reviewed”.
Azrul’s tweet had garnered 700 retweets and 350 likes at press time, sparking comments and suggestions by social media users.
One questioned the publisher of the book, while another said the book was “wrong on so many levels”.
Some also asked how men would be treated in such situations, with Twitter user @ShafiqFndz saying, “What about lessons for Amirul?”
Another urged Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman to intervene.
“Don’t you feel bad for us girls (because people say) it is our fault?” wrote @beausunflxwer, who tagged both government leaders in her post.
Another, @cybernout10, took a shot at the education ministry, which Azrul had also mentioned in his tweet along with Education Minister Maszlee Malik.
He said: “Kudos.. to MOE… for such an enlightening q&a.
“Thanks to the bigots who wrote the question and answers.. and the equally imbecile persons who approved it (sic).”
Twitter user @geminiesque meanwhile suggested that children be taught which body parts should not be touched and what to do if someone touches them in an inappropriate manner.
They should then report the matter, he said. “Teach also to the Year 3 kids that they (those who touch them inappropriately) cannot do that to other people. It’s wrong.”
He added that the content of the purported textbook would only make children afraid to report any sexual advances towards them.
FMT has contacted the education ministry and is awaiting a response. - FMT
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