So much for women empowerment and gender consciousness. The Health Ministry’s MedikTV Facebook page recently roused a furore when it briefly posted guidelines on ‘how to be a good female boss’.

“Women are talkative by nature and like to nag. This attitude is dangerous if brought into the organisation. A talkative and nagging attitude causes subordinates to feel pressured, bored and disgusted,” the posting said.

The eight-tip guidelines reinforced several stereotypes about women in positions of power, including the myth that lady bosses are ‘strict and fierce’, tend to ‘show ego and power’, and may even ‘over-control subordinates to the point of irritating them’.

“Not all female bosses are like this. But because of a drop of blue dye, a whole pot of milk can be contaminated. To be a good woman boss, these are a few tips that can help you … “ Read the rest of the caption.

Netizens were critical over the posting, with many calling it sexist and unfair.

Facebook user Sheena commented, “Women in managerial positions are always in a tough spot. If you are stern and tough, you are labelled a queen b**** who needs to get some. If you are too weak and accommodating, you are viewed as a typical woman who cannot take charge n be in control. Can’t win. We live in a man’s world.”

The guidelines (photo) emphasised on the characteristics of how a “good” female should behave, instead of focusing on how a good boss should treat their subordinates. One questions why the guidelines single out female bosses? Are they in dire need of such “advice”?

Firstly, this is a reflection of societal norms being imposed women. Women are constantly being told how to act. It is society and not the individual who dictates what kind of behavior is considered “feminine” and hence socially acceptable.

Secondly, it strengthens the belief that a successful leader behaves in a “masculine” way. As though there is only one acceptable leadership style – a so-called male-oriented style.

When faced with a hostile environment where stereotypes and prejudice abound, it is no wonder that many women come into the workforce with a “handicap” that is no fault of their own. They have to work doubly hard to prove that there is more to them than a pretty face.

This is ironic, given the fact that girls outnumber boys 60:40 at public universities. However, when it comes to workforce participation, women lag far behind their male counterparts. Many stop working due to the socially ingrained practices and uncondusive workplaces.

Lack of childcare facilities are prohibiting women from advancing in their career, instead hanging their degrees on the wall to be swapped with child-rearing and family care duties. While this sacrifice is indeed admirable, facilities should be made available for any woman to work, if she chooses to.

A working woman should not have to choose between her career and her family. Can she have her cake and eat it all? Perhaps, more understanding and support from society at large, institutions on the whole, and men in particular would be helpful.

Clearly, we still have a long way to go in Malaysia when it comes to gender consciousness and putting women and men on equal footing in the pursuit of happiness. For now, we’ll just have to be satisfied with the happiness of pursuit.

The post was later removed and MedikTV, which also issued an apology and promised not to publish such prejudicial guidelines in future. -The Rocket