Abstract
This book is a welcome addition to the growing literature on gender and mental and social well-being in the Indian context. Bhargavi Davar, one of the pioneers in this field, has furthered the scope of critical social analysis of mental health, largely viewing it through a feminist lens in this co-edited volume. The book is based on conference proceedings around the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in relation to mental illness. It explores multiple dimensions of patriarchy shaping traditional gendered roles and responsibilities of women and consequent implications for mental and social distress, for prevention of mental illness and in maintaining positive mental health. Importantly, the volume raises several issues relating to policy debates around UNCRPD through a social model perspective on mental health.
The book is comprised of nine chapters. In the Introduction, Bhargavi Davar has discussed the role of patriarchal institutions, such as family, marriage, community norms, religion and state institutions, that impinge on women’s lives. Talking about the knowledge systems largely derived from gender norms, psychiatry and law, she emphasises the lack of awareness about the social model of mental health among lay people and also among professionals, such as doctors, lawyers and judges; she critiques the power they hold in the lives of people. A disability perspective is yet to be recognised with respect to mental illness in the Indian context. Also, in comparison to physical disability, mental disability is hardly taken cognisance of in the disability rights movement. She also focuses on how women and children with mental disabilities have been discriminated against in medical institutions. Unless people with psycho-social disability take up a leadership role and insist on recognising mental disability as disability, very little could be achieved.
Renu Addlakha utilises the disability perspective to examine the question of the lives of women with impairments—both physical (blindness) and psycho-social—by pointing out gendered constructions using two case studies. Commonality of experiences of social barriers and discriminations at different stages of life clearly supports Bhargavi Davar’s argument about treating psycho-social illnesses disability at par with and as disability. Ranjita Biswas tries to recognise different aspects of structural and institutional features that identify women’s distress in terms of disease and label them as ‘mad’. She also underlines the gender bias operative through different concepts, attitudes as well as in knowledge systems related with health and illness that need proper attention and correction in mainstream psychiatric practices as well as in mental health science.
Vasudha Nagraj analyses the legal processes that often shape decisions regarding the mental condition of women on the basis of their inability to perform normative gendered roles. She points out the vulnerability of women with psycho-social disability through a case study of a married woman. She argues that although the legal system tries to give justice to the victim, it often fails to give proper support due to lack of understanding and evidence, demonstrating how a woman’s life negotiates with existential realities and the judicial system in complex ways.
Jayashree Kalathi discusses marketing policies using advertisements of pharmaceutical companies selling drugs, unravelling the gendered outlook related to particular mental illnesses. The pharmaceutical companies are more interested in business promotion than patient cure. Their representations and strategies reify mental illness and offer medications as essential largely to promote their commercial interests.
The question of sexual minorities has rarely been discussed in relation to disability discourse in the Indian context unlike in the West, where queer disability debates have taken centre stage. The chapter by Ranade and Hastak discusses the mental health concerns of lesbian women by highlighting different marginalisations on account of gender, sexuality and social oppression.
In chapter 7, Sazneen Limjerwala employs her gendered subjectivity and research experience in examining sexual violence. Sharing her thoughts while listening to others’ traumatic experiences, the author points to the role of universal fear and anxiety around rape and sexual violence among women across classes. This chapter also analyses the question of gender, violence and poverty together.
Anubha Sood reminds us about the tragic accident in Erawadi, a faith healing centre for sufferers of mental illness, where several died in a fire due to the system of keeping them chained. It led to widespread criticism and consequent marginalisation of traditional healing institutions. She raises concerns about such institutions but also about the larger system which fails to respect human rights of mentally ill persons (especially women). Besides, she also draws attention to the correlation between the traditional religious healing systems catering to mentally ill women and the transitioning mental health policy. Where is the space for culture and healing practices in the policy framework? She highlights the possibility of choice in seeking cultural healing practices for women’s psychological and social well-being.
Bhargavi V. Davar in the concluding chapter again returns to the role of institutions in developing one’s identity. By focusing on women’s voices, she particularly emphasises the role of parents and significant others in creating childhood depression and also highlights the trauma created through mental health treatments. Women’s narratives as well her own, however, give hope and point to individual strength in overcoming depressive situations and attempts to achieve personal identity.
This edited volume has useful empirical qualitative insights and makes a strong case for considering psycho-social disability in the new debates and policies on disability. One wishes, however, to have a perspective also from the medical community on these issues. The Introduction, in passing, mentions how intersectionality is important to disability studies today; there is, however, little attempt to actually examine this question through the volume. Much of the insights are largely drawn from urban women’s life experiences. Questions of caste and religion that are important in shaping patriarchies are hardly touched upon. Since the title of the volume foregrounds gender, one or two chapters on men’s mental health concerns would have helped to balance the debate. The cover of the book, a combination of orange and red colour shades, symbolises strength and power. More power to women with psycho-social disability! Overall, the book is rich and informative for readers in gender, disability and health studies.