Why Women’s Mental Health Deserves Our Attention: Understanding the Hidden Burden Women Carry

Author Name: Ly Sophorn

Background: Campaign and Research Intern at Klahaan Organization

In Cambodia, public awareness of mental health is increasing, yet women’s mental health remains particularly overlooked. The stagnation is due to stigma, cultural norms, and a lack of services. For many women and gender‑diverse people, mental well‑being is not just a health issue; it intersects deeply with harmful gender roles, societal expectations, and unequal access to care. 

Many mental health challenges faced by Cambodians are rooted in both historical trauma and ongoing social pressures, particularly the violence and suffering during the Khmer Rouge era. Women who survived this period continue to experience long-term psychological distress, including symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety, decades after the events. These unresolved historical trauma intersects with contemporary social pressures and caregiving burdens, creating complex mental health challenges in Cambodia that disproportionately affect Cambodian women (Dccam, 2024). Research from TPO Cambodia in 2024 shows that anxiety and depression are widespread, with common mental health disorders such as anxiety occurring at high rates across the population. The report also stated that despite the clear need for mental health support, Cambodia’s mental health system remains underdeveloped. Harmful social expectations push women to endure stress quietly and discourage open conversations about mental well-being. LGBTQIA+ individuals face additional barriers as many mental health services do not acknowledge their gender identity, leading to stigma against gender-diverse people. 

These gaps have gendered effects. Women and girls often carry the emotional burden of caregiving, economic insecurity, fear of violence, and cultural pressure to conform to traditional roles, all of which are the root causes of women’s mental health issues and are the barriers that hinder them from seeking help. The research conducted by the Wellbeing Advancement Organisation (WELL), which was included in the 2024 CEDAW Monitoring Report for Cambodia, found that among 150 university students, 56% of women and girls reported anxiety compared with 45% of men and boys, highlighting gendered differences in mental health experiences among women.

Understanding the Unique Experiences that Affect Women’s Mental Health

Biological factors: Research shows that women experience mood and anxiety disorders at roughly twice the rate of men, beginning around puberty and continuing into adulthood. These patterns are linked to sex-related hormone fluctuations and biological vulnerabilities that affect the brain’s stress and emotional regulation systems, with changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause making women more sensitive to stress, mood changes, and anxiety. Hormonal changes during these times have been associated with increased risk of depression and anxiety in women. Based on the research, scientific reviews also point to sex-linked differences in brain chemistry and hormone responses as contributing factors in why anxiety is more prevalent in women. 

Unequal expectations for women: Women in Cambodia often bear the primary responsibility for caregiving, household chores, and emotional labour (Oxfam, 2025). This leaves them with little time or energy to prioritise their own mental well‑being.  Additionally, many women are economically dependent on male family members, a pattern linked to long-standing social expectations in Cambodia that frame men as breadwinners and household heads, while women are expected to focus on caregiving, household chores, and domestic responsibilities (Cambodianess, 2023a). Chbab Srey reinforces these gender roles by emphasising women’s duties within the household, such as obedience, modesty, and caregiving. A recent study in 2023 shows that 34% out of the 80 survey respondents feel that Chbab Srey limits their freedom and confidence. As women often bear the household burden in the family, they have less time and opportunity to go to school or work, making it harder to become economically independent. Based on the Cambodia Demographic and Health Survey (CDHS) 2021-2022, on average of age 6 and over, women and girls complete 3.8 years of schooling, while men and boys complete 4.8 years. Early marriage is another problem. In 2022,17.9 % of girls were married before they turned 18, causing them to drop out, have early childbearing, and lose economic opportunity to be financially independent (Cambodianess, 2025b). All of these factors, such as education, traditional expectations, and early marriage, make it harder for women to have control over their lives and add extra stress that affects their mental health. 

Gender-based violence (GBV): Gender-based violence remains a major factor affecting women’s mental health in Cambodia. According to the CDHS 2021–22, about 21% of women aged 15–49 who have ever had a husband or intimate partner reported experiencing emotional, physical, or sexual violence by that partner at some point in their lives. Emotional violence, such as being insulted, humiliated, or controlled, was the most commonly reported type, followed by physical and then sexual violence (NIS, 2024). These experiences of violence can have lasting psychological impacts, including trauma, anxiety, depression, and lowered self-esteem. Many survivors report feelings of fear, guilt, and isolation that continue long after the violence occurs. 

Gender bias in healthcare: Even with good intentions, healthcare providers often hold biases that influence how they treat patients. An expert analysis indicates that women's symptoms are frequently dismissed as emotional or psychosomatic rather than legitimate medical issues, which can lead to delayed or inadequate treatment. In the care of chronic conditions, systemic gender bias means women tend to receive less medical attention, more misdiagnoses, and unnecessary harm to their mental well-being. This does not only happen with mental health, but women’s physical health concerns are also often ignored or blamed on emotions, making it harder for them to get proper care.

Barriers in Seeking Support: What’s Holding Women Back

For many Cambodian women, dealing with mental health challenges is more than just coping with symptoms. They face a mix of cultural, social, economic, and gender-related barriers that make it especially hard to get help. These obstacles go beyond general stigma and come from long-standing traditions and systems that limit their independence and access to care.

Social pressure and fear of shame: One of the most pervasive barriers is the fear of shame and social exclusion. Women are often expected to maintain harmony within the family and preserve the household’s reputation (UNFPA, 2023). Discussing emotional difficulties openly may be perceived as bringing embarrassment or dishonour to the family. This fear of gossip, judgment, or being labelled “unstable” makes many women conceal symptoms of anxiety, depression, or trauma rather than seek support. (ScienceDirect, 2024)

Geographic and health system barriers: According to research on Cambodia’s health system in 2023, mental health care is provided mainly through public and private hospitals in Phnom Penh. There are only about 60 psychiatrists for the entire country, roughly 1 psychiatrist per 260,000 people. Mental health services are completely inaccessible to around 68 % of the population living in rural areas because there are few trained professionals or specialised clinics outside urban areas. This means that many women in rural provinces must travel long distances to seek help, which adds to travel costs, time away from family and work, and the emotional burden of seeking care far from home. Traditional healers often become the first point of contact instead of trained professionals because of this lack of accessible services. 

Gender-diverse access barriers: Trans women and non-binary people often face additional barriers when accessing mental health care. Many healthcare systems are not designed to respect their gender identities, respond to the stigma they experience, or meet their specific mental health needs. For example, national standards for mental health facilities typically require only separate wards for women and men, leaving little room for gender-diverse patients. (IMHO, 2025)

Recommendation: Supporting Women’s Mental Health in Cambodia 

The above barriers indicate that Cambodian women’s mental health issues are not individual experiences. It results from harmful social norms, unequal gender roles, and systemic gender inequality. Addressing these challenges requires multi-level interventions through supporting women individually, engaging communities, and reforming structures and policies that shape everyday life.

Individual Level : 

• Recognise signs: Learn to notice early warning signs of mental health challenges, such as prolonged sadness, constant worry, irritability, or withdrawal from daily activities. Recognising these signs in yourself or others is the first step to getting help before problems become more serious.

• Respond with empathy: When someone shares their struggles, listen carefully without judging or minimising their experiences. Simple actions like saying, “I hear you,” or “It’s okay to feel this way” can help someone feel supported and less alone.

• Challenges stigma surrounding mental health: Speak out against harmful ideas that suggest women’s emotional struggles are “overreactions” or “just stress.” By questioning these stigmas and encouraging open conversations, individuals can help reduce shame, normalise help-seeking, and create an environment where women feel safe accessing mental health support. 

 Community Level:  

• Promote community dialogue: Community leaders should organise workshops, group discussions, and awareness activities on mental health that actively involve family members, teachers, and religious figures. By engaging these influential voices, communities can better understand the mental health challenges women face and promote supportive, respectful responses instead of judgment, blame, or silence.

• Provide safe spaces: Community leaders should establish community groups or support circles where women can openly share their experiences without fear of criticism, gossip, or social exclusion. Safe spaces give women the opportunity to seek help, learn coping strategies, and connect with others who understand their struggles. 

Structural Level: Reforming Policies and Systems

• Expand Services: The government should increase community-based mental health clinics outside urban areas, staffed with professionals trained in gender-sensitive and LGBTQIA+ inclusive care. Facilities should provide safe and appropriate spaces for women, trans women, and non-binary individuals, addressing the gaps created by traditional ward separations that typically only distinguish between men and women. By combining accessible care with inclusive practices, mental health services can better meet the needs of all marginalised groups and reduce barriers to seeking support.

• Fund awareness campaigns: Governments and NGOs can support nationwide initiatives that raise awareness about mental health.

• Integrate gender-responsive mental health literacy: Include mental health education in school curricula and public awareness campaigns. 

  
  

Towards a More Inclusive Future

Breaking mental health taboos in Cambodia is not just a medical challenge; it is a human right imperative. When women can speak openly about their mental well‑being, access supportive services, and challenge discriminatory norms without fear of judgment, the entire society benefits. Cambodian feminists, NGOs, and advocates are pushing against old stigmas and building new spaces for healing and empowerment. But, sustained support, better funding, and collaboration from the community are still needed to ensure every woman and gender‑diverse person can pursue mental well‑being with dignity and care.

About the author: Ly Sophorn is currently a Campaign and Research Intern at Klahaan. Sophorn is also a co-Lead of the AURA Project—an innovative Web3-based initiative supporting people with disabilities. Known for strong skills in communication, leadership, and strategic planning, Sophorn is passionate about creating inclusive solutions for community development.