Evaluation of Safety Issues, Gender Bias Problems and its Effect on Self Esteem and Mental Health - A Cross Sectional Study among Female Adolescents of Dakshina Kannada District.
Journal Title: National Journal of Research in Community Medicine - Year 2017, Vol 6, Issue 1
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Gender equality and women empowerment are frequently used terms in the present era. In developing countries such as India, this is yet to be achieved in a few areas. Despite campaigns, speeches, programs and various other attempts, this is still a farfetched concept especially for women belonging to rural or backward areas. Even in urban areas, girls and women do not share freedom of the same degree as enjoyed by their counterparts elsewhere in the world. OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed at assessing and evaluating the nature and extent of gender bias faced by female adolescents and to review the issues related to safety owing to gender bias. The study also aimed at assessing whether bias, abuse or discrimination has an impact on self esteem and mental health of an adolescent female. METHODS: A total of 152 female adolescents (age range 10-19 years; mean age= 14.5) were included in the study. A pre structured and pre tested questionnaire, Rosenberg questionnaire and the SQIFA Mental health screening questionnaire interview for adolescents were used as study tools. RESULTS: It was found that late teens were reported more instances of abuse or eve teasing, with the majority (63.81%) amongst them having experienced it in public places. The reason for this was attributed by 92.76% of the study subjects to the crowded and over populous nature of public spaces and public transport. A majority of the study subjects i.e. 92.76% of them stated that the main preventive measure taken by them to stay safe was to avoid venturing out alone after dark. All the study subjects admitted that the incident(s) faced had made them feel depressed with75.6% stating that it has had an impact on their studies/career. CONCLUSION: Gender bias, discrimination and abuse are commonly faced by all female adolescents irrespective of age and place of stay. The incidents faced do have a negative impact on mental health and overall health and wellbeing of female adolescents.
Authors and Affiliations
Delma D’Cunha, Sudhir Prabhu H
Keywords
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