Advancing mental health through gender equality

Posted on 23/06/2010 | 1 Comments

When I read the piece in the Globe and Mail about the G(irls) 20 Summit delegates, I was impressed. Kudos to Belinda Stronach and her Foundation for this innovative and necessary initiative.

Unlike the ongoing boondoggle involving fake lakes and public toilets well out of the reach of the public and denial of reproductive rights enjoyed by Canadian women to women in other countries, the Stronach initiative strikes the right notes.

Domestic violence, rape, the need for gender equality, the need for high quality easily accessible education, maternal health and well-being (including family planning) where all issues identified by the young delegates profiled in the Globe article. Of course these are all issues that are too familiar with here in Canada as well – not to the same degree as in low and middle income countries but certainly in kind. Guess what. These are mental health issues as well.

Empowering girls and women and ensuring gender equality in all social, civil and economic undertakings are interventions that will spill over into mental health promotion and prevention of negative social and health outcomes. This is an excellent way to address the social determinants of mental health – everywhere.

We have to do a much better job in this area globally and at home! The mental health of nations must be built in part on national policies that promote and ensure the well-being of girls and women. This is a task that we all must participate in. I for one would like to see very piece of federal, provincial and territorial legislation reviewed to ensure that it promotes this agenda. Sure we need mental health policies, programs and plans. But we need a pro-gender equality framework that informs everything we do.

--Stan

What people are saying?

Lauren Canton said...

I agree that the promotion of gender equality will have positive mental health outcomes, not just for women, but for all of humanity.  Certainly the eradication of domestic violence, sexual assault, and teen dating violence will promote a healthier world.  Currenty, I work in an alternative middle school for children with behavioral and social-emotional challenges.  These youth come to our school after being expelled from other schools.  Many of our students reveal syptoms of PTSD from the trauma of witnessing domestic violence in the home, between their parents or their mothers and a partner.  Some girls have been victims of sexual abuse.  These children reveal severe symptoms of PTSD.  This is proof of the negative effects of gender-based violence on mental health.  Futhermore, when considering the intergenerational transmission of violence, it is possible that these children will learn that violence is a normal way of expressing emotions and might be more likely to enter into abusive relationships themselves.  Relationship violence and sexual assault are rooted in gender inequality, and this creates a toxic environment in our society.  Promoting equality between genders and eradicating domestic violence and sexual assault will have a positive impact on today’s youth and our world’s future.

Comment made on May 07th, 2011

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