Mental Health of Women in Kashmir: Effects of Conflict and the Need for Support

Abstract

The protracted conflict in Kashmir has resulted in deaths and displacement of people, which is intricately linked to the effect that it has on the mental health of people living there, especially women. Women, already a vulnerable and marginalised section of society, bear the brunt of social, economic, and psychological burdens of conflict in Kashmir as mothers, daughters, widows, wives, half-widows and increasingly as primary breadwinners. Prior studies highlight that there is a significant prevalence of mental health problems among the women living in Kashmir, which mostly include, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety. The existing literature also suggests that the prolonged exposure to violence associated with armed conflict has long-term mental health implications. While women play critical roles within their families and communities, their mental health needs remain marginalised. This paper explores the intersection of conflict and mental health among the women living in Kashmir. It also underlines the critical need for gender-sensitive interventions and comprehensive policies to address the women's specific
mental health needs and challenges in conflict-torn Kashmir.