A few weeks ago, an article showcasing the report of Dr. Mutiyimana Celestin was published in The New Times. The headline read, "Rwandan Psychologist Discovers New Stress Disorder Affecting Married Women.” It quickly made the rounds, even appearing in a feminist group I’m part of. Yet, no meaningful conversation emerged from it.

My mind, with its peculiar tendency to retain and resurface seemingly trivial details, recalled the article while I was showering. As I reflected on the title, I began asking questions: What about their spouses? Are these women in unreciprocated relationships? Then my feminist lens reminded me; these women live in a patriarchal society where men often benefit disproportionately from marriage.

However, what about single mothers? Will they face the same condition? And teen mothers? Sex workers? What about other marginalized women? How is a woman's expectancy of basic human decency from her partner a diagnosis?

Finding no immediate answers, I decided to delve deeper into the report. Dr. Mutiyimana’s work still lacks important parts of the research to be complete, but it still sparked critiques and reflections I feel compelled to share.

Hear Me Out; I came across a tweet recently that read, "Modern women lowkey hate men.” I categorically reject this framing. Women don’t inherently hate men; we hate what men and the systems that uphold them make us endure.

This distinction is crucial. It’s why we hope more women embrace feminism to understand and challenge the oppression we’re fighting against. However, feminists remain a minority globally. Many women, consciously or unconsciously, participate in systems that oppress them.

Critiques like this, well-thought-out and often backed by research, offer valuable insights. It’s up to us to engage with them thoughtfully and, where possible, even contribute to the discourse.

Critical reflections (Research Biases)

Dr. Celestin, as a man, must also critically examine the biases he may hold against women, shaped by the societal and cultural beliefs he has grown up with. These biases, whether conscious or unconscious, can influence the framing, execution, and interpretation of his research. Researchers need to interrogate their perspectives to ensure their work contributes to the field of study with scientific rigor and without perpetuating existing biases.

Women: Who are we talking about?

When we talk about women, what type of women are we referring to? What demographic? Are we focusing solely on legally married women? What about women who don’t fit into this category? Are they excluded from the research? Will they be diagnosed with the same disorder? And why women specifically? These questions are crucial to understanding the scope and inclusivity of this research.

Relational Disappointment

The term "relational disappointment” struck me. It subtly reinforces the stereotype that women’s relationships, especially with their husbands, are their defining role. It’s a societal bias that discounts the rich tapestry of relationships women form outside marriage, often offering equal or greater fulfillment. If "relational disappointment” is the term chosen, does it imply these women are disappointed in all their relationships? Language matters. Terminology can inadvertently perpetuate the very biases we seek to dismantle.

Marriage as an institution

From an economic perspective, marriage can be viewed as a contract wherein partners seek social and financial advantages. Despite its theoretical mutual benefits, marriage often disadvantages women. This raises a pressing question: Will men also be diagnosed with this disorder? Or is this another example of women bearing the brunt of societal and institutional inequities?

Male Domination

Research shows men’s emotional well-being often surpasses women’s due to their socio-economic and cultural advantages. This disparity is no accident; it’s a product of male-dominated systems. Does this research highlight how these systemic imbalances contribute to women’s distress? If not, it risks being an incomplete narrative.

Religious Beliefs

Christianity, as a legacy of colonialism, often reinforces unequal emotional and physical labour within marriages. It’s worth asking: How many men will be diagnosed with this disorder? Or are women alone expected to navigate the psychological toll of systemic inequities perpetuated by patriarchal and religious norms?

Domestic Violence

Considering the case of Chadia, a woman physically abused by her husband. How does she psychologically cope with such abuse? Was her husband held accountable? Or are we so desensitized to stories of abused women that they no longer elicit outrage? What is our role as therapists when faced with recurring instances of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and domestic abuse?

At what point do we intervene beyond therapy and report such cases to authorities? If an abused woman returns to her abuser, what guarantees exist that the abuse won’t recur? Believing a violent man will change without accountability perpetuates harm.

Raising Consciousness

This research, while valuable, risks obscuring the broader conversations about patriarchy and capitalism, delaying necessary societal revolutions. Moreover, men, too, remain trapped in these oppressive systems if they fail to unlearn biases that position women as inferior.

Positive Contributions of the Research

Validation of Feminist Critiques: This research underscores what feminists have long argued: women’s oppression within patriarchal systems has profound psychological consequences.

Raising Awareness: By spotlighting these issues, the study emphasizes the importance of a feminist perspective in understanding and addressing systemic inequities, therefore, mental health illnesses that people acquire.

Community Building: It reminds us of the critical role women’s communities play in supporting individuals through abuse and systemic oppression.

Dr. Mutiyimana’s research is a valuable addition to the discourse on women’s mental health. However, it is crucial to approach such studies with a critical lens, ensuring that they challenge, rather than reinforce, the systemic biases they seek to address. Feminist critique and consciousness-raising remain essential tools in the fight for equity and justice.

The writer is a feminist and Counseling Psychologist.