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Source-This post on Relation between violance,mental health and homelessness of women has been created based on the article “Violence, homelessness, and women’s mental health” published in “The Hindu” on 19 March 2024.
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Context-The article highlights the fact violence and mental health conditions among women have a cause-and-effect relationship, and both factors significantly heighten the risk of homelessness.
What is the status of violence among women?
As per National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), almost 30% of women between the ages of 18-49 years have experienced physical violence beginning at age 15; around 6% have reported sexual violence.
What is the main reason behind triggering homelessness of women?
1) Many women with mental health conditions leave their house because they want to escape unending violence whether it was from a predatory father or a husband who controlled all aspects of life etc.
2) There are women who had access to mental health care but still they left their home due to violence.
Read more– On Crimes Against Women – A persistent social crisis
What are some of the reasons provided for mental health problems of women?
1) There are higher prevalence rates of depression, anxiety or eating disorders among women.
2) They also suffer from mental health issues due to postpartum depression. Postpartum depression is a medical condition that many women get after having a baby.
What are the limitations of these reasons for explaining mental health issue of women?
1) They neglect the detrimental impact of violence on women’s lives by giving excessive focus to bio-medical reasons.
2) They do not acknowledge the role played by patriarchy and caste-based discrimination which takes a profound toll on women.
What should be the way forward?
1) Acknowledgement of work-There is a need to recognize and compensate women for their unpaid labour in household roles.
2) Creation of separate space-There should be dedicated space for women to find supportive networks and alternate family structures outside of typical heteronormative relationships.
3) Ownership Rights-Women should have access to basic income, housing, and land ownership that may offer economic independence and reduce vulnerability to homelessness.
4) Reforms in Curricula-There is a need for change in curriculum that helps growing adolescents interrogate and challenge harmful gendered norms and practices.
5) Multi-stake holder approach-In order to understand the impact of violence on women’s mental health, there is a need to involve diverse professionals, innovative research, and meaningful involvement of those with lived experiences.
Along with increasing access to mental health care, there is a need for collective action that can substantively address deep-rooted violence.
Question for practice
How is violence the main reason behind homelessness of women. What steps can be taken to address deep rooted gender discrimination and violence in society?
