By Chung Hyun-chae
A government poster encouraging the use of contraception to prevent abortions has prompted a public outcry.
In the advertisement issued by the Ministry of Health and Welfare on Friday, a young couple is seen from behind. The woman glances behind her, smiling, while walking arm in arm with her boyfriend/husband. The man is carrying paper shopping bags and a woman's pink handbag.
Next to the photo, a slogan reads: "Although you leave everything (to men), don't leave the responsibility for contraception (to men)."
Another shorter phrase states: "Contraception is a matter of self-service."
The poster further explains that contraception is a responsibility for both men and women.
After the ministry uploaded the poster on social networking services (SNS) including Facebook, people say the poster tarnishes the image of women by describing them as helpless people who make men take the responsibility.
"This could turn into hatred for women. Why do we have to be seen so selfish and dependent?" wrote one female blogger.
Others say that the slogan can be interpreted as meaning that only women are responsible for contraception.
"It is nonsense because the message underneath says that both men and women should take responsibility for using contraception," another Internet user commented.
Men are also upset, saying that the man in the poster looks like a "slave" doing chores for the woman, such as carrying bags for her.
"Does the slogan imply that men are unreliable in terms of contraception?" asked another blogger.
Korean Womenlink, a women's rights group, also criticized the poster.
"It is regrettable that the ministry described contraception as a conflict between men and women while the poster was designed to promote contraception," a member said.
"The image of a woman putting all responsibility on a man could create a misogynic reaction."
Following the criticism, the ministry has removed the poster from all its SNS.
"The public responses have gone against our original intention to prevent abortion by encouraging adults to actively use contraception," a ministry official said. "We will decide whether to make another one or to revise the existing one."
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| A government poster encouraging contraception has drawn criticism for improper content about the roles of women and men. |
In the advertisement issued by the Ministry of Health and Welfare on Friday, a young couple is seen from behind. The woman glances behind her, smiling, while walking arm in arm with her boyfriend/husband. The man is carrying paper shopping bags and a woman's pink handbag.
Next to the photo, a slogan reads: "Although you leave everything (to men), don't leave the responsibility for contraception (to men)."
Another shorter phrase states: "Contraception is a matter of self-service."
The poster further explains that contraception is a responsibility for both men and women.
After the ministry uploaded the poster on social networking services (SNS) including Facebook, people say the poster tarnishes the image of women by describing them as helpless people who make men take the responsibility.
"This could turn into hatred for women. Why do we have to be seen so selfish and dependent?" wrote one female blogger.
Others say that the slogan can be interpreted as meaning that only women are responsible for contraception.
"It is nonsense because the message underneath says that both men and women should take responsibility for using contraception," another Internet user commented.
Men are also upset, saying that the man in the poster looks like a "slave" doing chores for the woman, such as carrying bags for her.
"Does the slogan imply that men are unreliable in terms of contraception?" asked another blogger.
Korean Womenlink, a women's rights group, also criticized the poster.
"It is regrettable that the ministry described contraception as a conflict between men and women while the poster was designed to promote contraception," a member said.
"The image of a woman putting all responsibility on a man could create a misogynic reaction."
Following the criticism, the ministry has removed the poster from all its SNS.
"The public responses have gone against our original intention to prevent abortion by encouraging adults to actively use contraception," a ministry official said. "We will decide whether to make another one or to revise the existing one."
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