Women, Family and Community Development Deputy Minister Dato Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff has been heavily criticised for her recent videos that provided tips for married couples, in which she tells women to take a “soft approach” with their husbands, and for husbands to use “gentle” physical touch to discipline their wives. First, we look into understanding where the rhetoric comes from, and why it can be harmful. Then, we discuss why ministers have to be particularly mindful of what they say, and how to do it right.

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