Psychiatry has long been shaped by gendered narratives, from early psychoanalytic theories that pathologized women's experiences to ongoing biases in diagnosis and treatment. Being a woman in psychiatry is about more than just doing the job—it’s a privilege and a responsibility to advocate for women’s mental health, challenge systemic biases, and push for more inclusive care. 

Gender biases persist, whether through assumptions about nurturing or the need to prove authority. Workplace policies often hinder family life and career growth. Yet these challenges create opportunities to drive change, mentor future psychiatrists, and shape research and policy on gender-specific mental health needs. 

For me, psychiatry is about listening and creating space for healing. Many women in the field navigate a profession where gender shapes both therapeutic relationships and dynamics. I want to challenge outdated narratives and ensure mental health care evolves equitably. Psychiatry also offers space for leadership and advocacy, and women psychiatrists have played a crucial role in making the field more compassionate and holistic. This profession allows us to connect with patients, address inequities, and shape the future of mental health care.

While progress has been made in addressing gender disparities in mental health care and career advancement, challenges remain. Equity is not a box-ticking exercise. 

Psychiatry has moved beyond dismissing women’s struggles as “hysteria,” recognising that conditions present differently in women. Advances in gender-sensitive care—such as understanding perinatal mental health and the effects of hormones and trauma—are shaping treatment. Women are also taking on leadership roles, driving research, policy, and advocacy, while discussions on work-life balance, parental leave, and implicit bias gain traction. 

Yet barriers persist. Gender biases in hierarchies, pay gaps, and expectations to take on “softer” roles still limit women in psychiatry. In patient care, male-centric research models continue to overlook women’s experiences. True progress requires expanding female leadership, ensuring research reflects gender differences, and advocating for policies that promote equity. 

Dismissing feminism in psychiatry undermines addressing gendered mental health experiences, perpetuating systemic inequalities. At a time of rising far-right ideologies, it is critical to use our privilege to advocate for women’s rights. Psychiatrists must be politically engaged, as social and political forces shape mental health. Professional advocacy ensures psychiatry remains relevant and responsive to the communities it serves.