Why should I care about gender?

Abstract

Women have been discriminated against throughout history. Despite international efforts, there remain significant inequalities between men and women. In some countries women are still deprived of fundamental human rights. This article looks at the published literature on gender as it affects individual vulnerability and risk, and planning, organisation and delivery of health care, with specific focus on the mental health and learning disabilities literature. It acknowledges the important differences between the life experiences and social realities of men and women with learning disabilities, and discusses them in the context of recent government policy and guidance. It calls for urgent gender‐specific research to understand the key issues facing men and women with learning disabilities, and a rights‐based approach to access to education, health care and a competent and informed workforce.

Citation

O'Hara, J. (2008), "Why should I care about gender?", Advances in Mental Health and Learning Disabilities, Vol. 2 No. 2, pp. 9-18. https://doi.org/10.1108/17530180200800012