Symposium

Abstract

The overall rates of psychiatric disorder are almost identical for men and women but striking gender differences are found in the patterns of mental illness, treatment seeking pattern, socio-economic independence, attachment and perceived support. Gender is a critical determinant of mental health and mental illness. The morbidity associated with mental illness has received substantially more attention than the gender specific determinants and mechanisms that promote and protect mental health and foster resilience to stress and adversity. Gender-based violence (GBV) is violence targeted at individuals or groups on the basis of their gender. The rate of violence is an indicator of rising tensions and incipient conflict, ensuing violence and armed conflict themselves can exacerbate gender-based violence.The high prevalence of sexual violence to which women are exposed and the correspondingly high rate of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) following such violence, renders women the largest single group of people affected by this disorder. Psychiatrists have a humongous role in resolving the conflict and supporting the victims of gender conflict while at the same time bearing in mind the cultural background and societal customs.