Gender Inequalities and Mental Health

Gender is a non-modifiable determinant for health, while it is influenced by modifiable determinant factors. Several socio-economic and cultural factors globally have created a gender-based inequality that causes gender discrimination. Inequality that disadvantages women against men contributes to both physical and mental health challenges that are present in various types of mental disorders. Gender inequality in South Asia remains a significant obstacle to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A wide range of risk factors, including poverty, discrimination, limited education, exposure to violence, and limited autonomy in decision-making, restricted participation in public and political life, and discriminatory laws and societal norms prolong these inequalities. Attempts to remove health inequality need a high level of advocacy at the strategic level, multisectoral engagement, changing the perspective of society towards equity, cultural shift, health promotion, as well as improvement in health service access and utilisation that guarantees mental health care at the centre of this reform.