Gender inequality in mental health: a review from the South Asian context

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 women’s accessibility, affordability and suitability to mental health facilities in South Asian countries.