RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Research says the effects of sex discrimination can be felt for up to four years and can be devastating for young women’s mental health.
Young women subject to sexism are five times more likely to suffer depression, says a new study conducted jointly by the British organization Young Women Trust and University College London.
The researchers examined the mental health of women who have suffered from sexism and others who have not.
The study involved 2,995 women aged between 16 and 93. The results show that the 16 to 30 age group experiences more sexism at school, at work, and on public transport. They also tend to suffer from discrimination for a longer period of time than women of other ages.
Sexism is defined as “feeling insecure, avoiding certain places, being insulted, threatened or physically attacked for being a woman”. Among women who claimed to be victims of sexism, 82 percent said they were regular victims of sexual harassment in the street.
Sophie Walker, director of Young Women’s Trust says the study shows a “clear and damaging relationship” between sexism and the mental health of young women.
“What is often viewed as a lack of confidence by young women is actually a mental health crisis caused by a sexist society. This profoundly affects the lives of young women, their economic independence and their overall health,” she explains.
“We need services that offer support to these women whose mental health is compromised by sexism. We need to ask them about their experiences of sex discrimination, abuse, and violence with sensibility so that we can offer them appropriate help,” warns Walker.
The expert also believes that traditional mental health services are not suitable for treating young women suffering thfrom e psychological consequences of sexism.
She believes that these women need a specialized service and also an investment in fighting violence against adolescents, young women, and women of other ages.