In a shocking display of outdated gender norms, Onomichi City in Japan's Hiroshima prefecture has come under fire for distributing flyers to pregnant women, prompting nationwide outrage and sparking discussions on gender equality and societal pressures faced by women.
The controversy originated from a public survey conducted in 2017, which served as the basis for the offensive flyers. The flyers contained patronizing and stereotypical messages, suggesting that men and women inherently possess distinct thought processes due to structural brain differences. It went on to advise pregnant women to understand and accommodate these supposed differences to "divide roles well" within the family.
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According to CNN, the flyers went further to state that husbands and fathers should be thanked for carrying out basic tasks such as washing dishes, changing diapers, and participating in childcare, implying that such actions were praiseworthy exceptions rather than shared responsibilities. Additionally, the flyers suggested that wives should avoid getting frustrated while taking care of the baby and performing household chores.
Social media platforms were soon flooded with reactions expressing anger and disbelief over the sexist content. Many users criticized the city's promotion of traditional gender roles and urged authorities to recognize fathers as equally essential actors in childcare. The flyers were seen as emblematic of Japan's deeply ingrained patriarchal society, where women often bear a disproportionate burden of raising children and maintaining the household.
In response to the growing backlash, Onomichi's mayor, Yukihiro Hiratani, publicly apologized on the local government website. He acknowledged that the flyers did not align with the sentiments of pregnant women and others involved in child-rearing and acknowledged that the expressions used in the flyers perpetuated harmful gender stereotypes. Consequently, the city discontinued the distribution of the flyers.
However, the incident brought to light the broader issue of Japan's gender inequality and the challenges faced by women in the country. Japan has been ranked 125th out of 146 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index, highlighting the significant disparity between men and women in various aspects of life, including politics and the workforce.
Political representation remains woefully imbalanced, with women occupying only 10% of parliamentary seats. Although more women have joined the workforce in recent years, they still hold only 12.9% of senior or managerial positions, lagging far behind countries like the United States and Sweden. Moreover, structural obstacles persist, preventing many working men and women from balancing their careers with family responsibilities.
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Falling Birth Rate Threatens Japan's Social Fabric
Mothers, in particular, often face the difficult choice of sacrificing their jobs to care for their children, while those who return to work may encounter lower wages and limited career growth. Efforts to encourage fathers to take an active role in childcare have encountered challenges, as many men fear negative repercussions from employers when seeking paternity leave.
The consequences of these societal norms are evident in Japan's declining birth rate, which poses significant concerns for the country's future. Despite various initiatives aimed at promoting childbirth, Japan recorded fewer than 800,000 births in 2022, the lowest number since records began in 1899. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida warned that the nation is on the verge of being unable to sustain its social functions due to this demographic challenge.
As the nation grapples with the repercussions of these outdated gender norms, there is a growing call for more comprehensive efforts to address gender equality, promote work-life balance, and empower women in all aspects of society. The incident in Onomichi serves as a powerful reminder that progress towards true gender equality requires a concerted effort to challenge and dismantle deeply ingrained stereotypes and discriminatory practices.
