Delegate Swenny Ongidobel of the House of Delegates is recommending banning women from the social media and committing instead to their traditional roles.
The September 9 House of Delegates session elicited unfavorable comments from members of the Palauan forums on Facebook, after a video clip of him suggesting that women stay away from social media to fulfill their duties under the Constitution.
Although in the session, Ongidobel threw his support to a resolution honoring the 25th Anniversary of the Mechesil Belau conference, he lamented the fact that many women has neglected their traditional duties in favor of the democratic system and speaking their mind on political issues in Palau.
He also stated that there is a need for women to take a step back in criticizing the government in social media.
In a Facebook comment in Palau Town Hall forum, Ongidobel denied that his statement is against the women’s freedom of speech but was meant to protect “ Palau women’s customs rights.”
Ongidobel’s statement during the session prompted an outpouring on social media, with several commenting that his recommendation of a ban is offensive to women.
But one comment criticized Ongodobel of using a “tone offensive to women.”
Ongidobel however sees his statement as preserving women’s traditional power. (Bernadette H. Carreon)