International Women’s Day 2026: What does just and fair psychiatric care for all look like to you?

Dr Lillian Ng

Good psychiatric care is when thoughtful clinicians work in meaningful ways to alleviate suffering. Just and fair psychiatric care for all is when we care enough to stand up, organise and attack injustice at the intersections of gender, ethnicity, poverty and mental disability. The cumulative impact of disadvantage is inequity that grinds a person down. Just and fair psychiatric care for all uses our collective voice to speak up against racism, sexism, poverty and colonisation. For those who suffer to be self-determining and be able to access safe, effective and coordinated support across health, welfare, police and criminal justice systems.

Ka whawhai tonu mātou, ake! ake! ake!’

Good psychiatric care is when thoughtful clinicians work in meaningful ways to alleviate suffering. Just and fair psychiatric care for all is when we care enough to stand up, organise and attack injustice at the intersections of gender, ethnicity, poverty and mental disability. The cumulative impact of disadvantage is inequity that grinds a person down. Just and fair psychiatric care for all uses our collective voice to speak up against racism, sexism, poverty and colonisation. For those who suffer to be self-determining and be able to access safe, effective and coordinated support across health, welfare, police and criminal justice systems.

Ka whawhai tonu mātou, ake! ake! ake!’

Dr Manoj Padhiar

I would like to wish everyone a happy International Women’s Day 2026!!

I fully support this year’s "Give to Gain" campaign, which encourages a mindset of generosity and collaboration, and emphasises the power of reciprocity and support.

Over the years, I have been committed towards improving the mental health and well-being of women in our society. I have provided treatment and support to women who have unfortunately experienced physical, emotional and sexual violence. I have visited domestic violence refuge centres to support women who have experienced trauma and displacement.

I am a strong supporter of justice, equal rights and opportunities, for all members of society: women, men, and all gender identity groups. I am a member of the RANZCP Gender Equity Subcommittee.

I would like to wish everyone a happy International Women’s Day 2026!!

I fully support this year’s "Give to Gain" campaign, which encourages a mindset of generosity and collaboration, and emphasises the power of reciprocity and support.

Over the years, I have been committed towards improving the mental health and well-being of women in our society. I have provided treatment and support to women who have unfortunately experienced physical, emotional and sexual violence. I have visited domestic violence refuge centres to support women who have experienced trauma and displacement.

I am a strong supporter of justice, equal rights and opportunities, for all members of society: women, men, and all gender identity groups. I am a member of the RANZCP Gender Equity Subcommittee.

Dr Elizabeth Lun

Just and fair psychiatric care is about building a community where each individual can flourish and receive the best quality psychiatric care. This includes understanding our clients as people beyond the diagnosis, striving to collaborate rather than mandate, practicing with the evidence base alongside humanity. It means to advocate for those who are facing barriers to accessing psychiatric care, whether it be due to geography, gender, identity, socioeconomic status or difficult circumstances. Through striving to dismantle structural barriers to equal justice, we can foster a culture and community where mental health is valued just as much as physical health, with the goal that one day everyone can access psychiatric care without fear, stigma or discrimination.