Gender Inequality in Mental Health: A Review from the South Asian Context

Reshman Tabassum

doi:10.3329/bjms.v16i2.31938

Abstract

Gender equity refers to the fairness and justice in the allocation of benefits and responsibilities between women and men, while gender-based inequity may emanate from a psychosocial, epidemiological; or perhaps a global perspective. The concepts of gender equity are merely elusive; nevertheless, increasingly have been used inappropriately. Gender inequities in mental health, pervasive in South Asian societies, indicates biases in power, resources, entitlements, and the way organizations are arranged and programs are designed to adversely affect the lives of millions of women. Four major areas highlighted in this study are: Prevalence of gender inequality in mental health; role of gender in South Asia; unraveling gender and mental health paradox in South Asia; and effective strategies to minimize gender inequality. Eliminating gender inequalities requires not only acknowledging the necessity of basic medical services to women, but scrutinizing mental health through a gender lens and taking measures for expanding womens accessibility, affordability and suitability to mental health facilities in South Asian countries.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.16(2) 2017 p.203-206

Highlights

Gender inequality in mental health, pervasive in SouthAn evolving thrust toward attaining universal health coverage (UHC) in developing countries elevates three global concerns: Well-being of individuals; gender equality; and lessening of inequality across international and national borders.1In 2002, World Health Organization (WHO) conceded its first Gender Policy, promoting the gender issue as important agenda globally and emphasizing the importance of gender equality and the empowerment of women.2The concepts of gender equity are merely elusive; increasingly have been used inappropriately
Whilst gender equity refers to the fairness and justice in the allocation of benefits and responsibilities between women and men, gender-based inequity may emanate from a psychosocial, epidemiological; or perhaps a
The disparities in mental health services stem from large-scale cultural, social, economic, and political processes, producing differential health risks for women.6Mental diseases are projected to account for 12% of disability-adjusted life-years lost worldwide; yet, approximately 90% of the countries have no mental health policy, nearly 40% have no mental health plan, more than 30% have a few mental health awareness and preventive programs.7Although mental health issues are among the significant contributors to the global burden of diseases, gender inequalities in mental health surpass differences in the proportions of several disorders, especially in the phases of vulnerability, diagnosis, treatment and adjustment to mental disorder8among South Asian women

Summary

Introduction

An evolving thrust toward attaining universal health coverage (UHC) in developing countries elevates three global concerns: Well-being of individuals (goal3); gender equality (goal 5); and lessening of inequality across international and national borders (goal 10).1In 2002, World Health Organization (WHO) conceded its first Gender Policy, promoting the gender issue as important agenda globally and emphasizing the importance of gender equality and the empowerment of women.2The concepts of gender equity are merely elusive; increasingly have been used inappropriately. The media, can play on health promotion in Bangladesh; a vital role to increase community awareness of a large number of people in rural areas have little women and reduce the stigma of mental problems in access[26] to mental healthcare services compared to South Asian countries. Lack of support mechanisms contributes to a poor quality of life for the South Asian women; gender equity needs to be at the heart of urban governance and planning in South Asian countries

Conclusion

Findings

13. American Medical Association Council on Scientific