Department responds to social media upset over “sexist” tweets

The Gauteng Department of Social Development has responded to the social media upset around tweets made earlier today. The Department tweeted, and subsequently deleted, a series of tweets in support of their #MarriageWeek initiative.

The tweets made, what many felt, were unsubstantiated claims and South Africans took to Twitter and Facebook to address the problematic statements.

The tweets were deleted, but are quoted below, with screenshots further down:

@gpgsocdev: "Marriages today are failing because of lack of submission #marriageweek"

@gpgsocdev: "Children do better when they live with married parents #marriageweek

@gpgsocdev: "We should never cease to pray for our marriages & have the patience to wait in prayer #marriageweek"

Social media users have pointed out that these tweets seem to reinforce archaic patriarchal beliefs and that none of it is based on research.

Some also questioned the Christian message, as South Africa is a secular state.

W24 has contacted the Department and received the following response:

"· A tweet was sent out, however it did not mention the fact that it was an individual who was quoted at an event that was hosted by GDSD in Alexandra.

· Unfortunately the tweet was viewed as a policy of government and it has since generated negative response in the social media community.

We regret this unfortunate incident and we confirm that the GDSD does not hold any views that divergent from the county's supreme law - the Constitution."