Family without mother

Iran has launched a drive to encourage its citizens to have more children. The government feels it needs a baby boom to increase its workforce as the current population is ageing. Billboards to this effect can be seen on major highways in the country. One of the hoardings depicts a happy-looking family of six on a tandem bicycle, riding past a father-son duo on another bicycle. The message on the hoarding says that a large family is a happy one. But the image has faced a barrage of criticism as the mother is nowhere to be seen. Commentators say the depictions are not only sexist, but also out of touch with reality and people who have designed the posters have no idea about the rate of inflation, poverty and unemployment in the country.

They say the government has done nothing for the people but wants them to have more children. Social media, too, is abuzz with comments criticising the decision. One says women are absent as they are probably busy giving birth while another says the images depict the way women are seen in the society—as tools to achieve happiness.

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