Access to Mental Health Care in the Arctic: a Case Study on the Rights of Indigenous Women in Norway

Abstract

Indigenous women are often doubly under pressure when it comes to the full realization of human rights. In particular they might face increased risks to their health and life and suffer from a lack of access to health care. In particular language and cultural differences can make it difficult for indigenous women to access health care services. This research looks at the tip of the iceberg of this problem, taking as a point of departure problems of Sámi women in Norway to access mental health care service. This is the tip of the iceberg as indigenous women in other states suffer much worse forms of discrimination, Norway has an excellent health care system and has ratified ILO 169. Yet, indigenous women in Norway are significantly less likely than non-indigenous women to access mental health care services. In the context of the conference's overall theme this research project looks at the question whether international instruments applicable to the situation in Norway (such as CEDAW, ICCPR, ICESCR and ILO 169) give indigenous women a right to access to health care. Particular attention is given to the prohibition of discrimination and to the question of horizontal effect, which are necessary for effectively ensuring the right to access to health care.