SIS: Underlying tone in Siti Zailah's 'advisory' video wrong

The underlying tone in Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff's advice on domestic relationships during the movement control order (MCO) is "unacceptable", said Sisters in Islam (SIS).

In a statement today, SIS said the advice, in the form of a five-minute video clip featuring Siti Zailah (above), presented an underlying tone that women should accept, remain patient and forgive their partner's abusive attitude.

"This is unacceptable as the deputy minister, she should be empowering women by affirming that they deserve to live a life free from violence and fear and to reiterate that women and children's safety are the utmost priority for the ministry," said SIS.

The video, said SIS, proved that the ministry failed to understand the issues and dynamics of being in an abusive relationship.

Yesterday, Siti Zailah posted the video clip on her social media accounts where she acknowledged the MCO might put stress on families, leading to domestic violence.

In view of this, she provided three "tips" on how to defuse tensions, including being appreciative, showing forgiveness and being religious. She said that victims of domestic abuse should contact her ministry's Talian Kasih hotline for help.

Although Siti Zailah did not overtly say women should accept, be patient and forgive their abusive partners, many critics, including social activist Marina Mahathir, have interpreted her message as such in the context of the entire video clip.

SIS said Siti Zailah and the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry should have been clearer in their messaging on protecting women and children from abusive households.

"Siti Zailah should make Department of Syariah Judiciary director-general Mohd Na'im Mokhtar's recent video on handling abusive marriages during the MCO an example.

"In his video, Mohd Na'im advised women to protect themselves and their children by not being their husband’s punching bag and to have the courage to leave the house, if they are abused.

"He also mentioned that a wife will not be 'nusyuz' (unreasonably disobedient of her husband) if she left the house from her abusive husband and that all of us have the responsibility to protect our bodies from harm," said SIS. - Mkini