The Ministry for Women provided input into the inquiry on the gendered implications of mental health and addiction. In it we noted: that gender-based violence can have a large impact on women’s mental health; that this violence is a major issue in New Zealand; that it is important that mental health and addiction systems and services are gender-responsive, and work for the women and girls who need them most. This includes women and girls facing multiple barriers to accessing support; and that some groups of women, such as Māori and Pacific women, and women prisoners, may be disproportionately affected by mental health issues and addictions and may require targeted support and services delivered in a gender-responsive and culturally-appropriate ways.