Women's Equality Day celebrates the ongoing journey towards gender equality, acknowledging the progress made and the challenges that lie ahead. In this pursuit, it's important to recognize the close relationship between women's empowerment and mental health. On Women's Equality Day, we should understand how gender equality, or the lack of it, can greatly affect women's wellbeing.
National Women's Equality Day is significant because it commemorates the Nineteenth Amendment, granting women the right to vote in the United States during the 1920s. This amendment prohibited the federal government and states from denying people the right to vote because of their gender.
The Link Between Gender Equality and Mental Health
Gender equality is not just about having equal opportunities and rights. It includes an environment that promotes women's growth, self-esteem, and overall well-being. Growing up in Eastern Europe, Tatsiana DaGrosa, Program Supervisor at Oceanside II Family Success Center in Atlantic City, fondly recalls International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8th, as one of her most favorite and memorable holidays. In her native country, International Women’s Day is a national holiday, which means schools, businesses, and government offices are closed, and girls and women receive flowers and toasted at celebratory dinners.
“I recall my dad bringing home beautiful bouquets of fresh tulips for my mom, my sister, and me. My mom would prepare delicious dinner with all our favorite dishes and as a family, we would share these morsels and honor women and our family unit.”
Society is making progress in achieving gender equality. However, there are still differences in accessing resources, workplace status, and overall well-being between women and men.
According to Medical News Today, gender inequality impacts women all over the world, in comparison to men through various avenues. This includes lower enrollment rates in schools, fewer job opportunities, and unequal pay for equal work. Additionally, women tend to have more unpaid responsibilities, such as caregiving and overall household tasks. These gender disparities can significantly impact women's mental health in various ways:
Stress and Anxiety: Less access to education, jobs, and decision-making can cause more stress and anxiety. The pressure to overcome these barriers can take a toll on women's mental health.
Career Challenges: Unequal job access, wage gaps, and limited career growth can cause frustration and feeling stuck in one's career. This can trigger feelings of inadequacy and impact self-worth.
Balancing Multiple Roles: Women often juggle multiple roles, such as caregiving and paid employment. If there is a lack of support in managing these responsibilities, it can lead to burnout, stress, and overwhelming feelings.
Empowerment through Awareness
Women's Equality Day is an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of gender equality for mental health. By talking openly about women's problems, we can remove shame and encourage them to seek help when necessary.
Building strong support networks is vital for women's mental health. Empowerment comes not only from personal strength but also from the relationships and communities that uplift and validate women's experiences. By sharing stories and connecting with others, women can find solace, strength, and inspiration.
Promoting self-care and self-compassion is essential in the pursuit of mental well-being. Encouraging women to prioritize their physical, emotional, and psychological needs fosters resilience and the ability to overcome challenges.
Education plays an important role in driving change. Through awareness, we can help break down harmful stereotypes and norms. Advocacy efforts can push for policies that support women's mental health and well-being.
Achieving gender equality is not only a matter of equal rights, but also an important step in improving women's mental health. By addressing the barriers that hinder equality, fostering awareness, and promoting support networks, we can create a world where everyone has the opportunity to flourish.
Your mental health matters, and seeking support is a powerful step towards a happier, healthier life. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, our compassionate and skilled counselors are here to help.