Check out 16 Return-To-Work Programs In India For Ambitious Women Like You!
The increasing rate of suicide, among Indian women is alarming. Read to know about the factors that contribute to this dangerous trend.
A recent study by the Indian Psychiatric Society suggests that women are three times more likely to attempt suicide than men. It also goes on to explain that out of these, 10-15% cases are impulsive, while most others can be prevented through timely intervention and psycho-social rehabilitative assistance.
According to a statement by the President of the Indian Psychiatric Society, Dr G Prasad Rao, ‘”My life is not worth living’, is the most common expression. And, if people around them can sense and intervene in time, then such cases can be prevented.”
The statistic and the rationale offered in explanation to the statistic, suggest that women are in a vulnerable and dangerous space. In a social set up that is fraught with patriarchal attitudes towards women, that is restrictive to their right to health and their un-stigmatized access to help and resources, it is all the more painful to note that this trend might just wind up continuing unchecked if the structural violence of patriarchy continues to be perpetuated in practice.
Earlier this year, the BBC shared an article by Soutik Biswas, asking, “Why are India’s housewives killing themselves?” The article suggested that female literacy, the level of exposure to the media and smaller family size, are all perhaps indicators of female empowerment, which were correlated with higher suicide rates for women in these age groups.
It also explained that suicide rates among housewives were the lowest in the most ‘traditional states’, where family sizes were big and extended families were common. Rates were found to be higher in states where households are closer to nuclear families – Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.
The subtext to this occurrence is pretty clear, in the way our systems are skewed against women: patriarchal social structures, hegemonic masculinity that reaches toxic proportions, constant honour-ification of the female identity and the burden of physical and mental strain with little to no psycho-social and medical support, can break anyone.
The treating of women as chattel and reassertion of these stereotypical views of women and the restraint on their freedom of access can be exceedingly suffocating and overwhelming. Coupled with the social stigma ascribed to a woman’s choice to seek help or to ask to address such matters, this skewed statistic is only reflective of a disturbing trend.
If you or anyone you know is feeling suicidal, here are some of the helplines available in India. Please call.
Aasra, Mumbai: 022-27546669
Sneha, Chennai: 044-2464 0050
Lifeline, Kolkata: 033-2474 4704
Sahai, Bangalore: 080–25497777
Roshni, Hyderabad: 040-66202000, 040-66202001
Image Source: Pixabay
read more...
Women's Web is an open platform that publishes a diversity of views, individual posts do not necessarily represent the platform's views and opinions at all times.
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
Neena was the sole caregiver of Amma and though one would think that Amma was dependent on her, Neena felt otherwise.
Neena inhaled the aroma that emanated from the pan and took a deep breath. The aroma of cumin interspersed with butter transported her back to the modest kitchen in her native village. She could picture her father standing in the kitchen wearing his white crisp kurta as he made delectable concoctions for his only daughter.
Neena grew up in a home where both her parents worked together in tandem to keep the house up and running. She had a blissful childhood in her modest two-room house. The house was small but every nook and cranny gave her memories of a lifetime. Neena’s young heart imagined that her life would follow the same cheerful course. But how wrong she was!
When she was sixteen, the catastrophic clutches of destiny snatched away her parents. They passed away in a road accident and Neena was devastated. Relatives thronged her now gloomy house and soon it was decided that she should be married off.
Being a writer, Nivedita Louis recognises the struggles of a first-time woman writer and helps many articulate their voice with development, content edits as a publisher.
“I usually write during night”, says author Nivedita Louis during our conversation. Chuckling she continues,” It’s easier then to focus solely on writing. Nivedita Louis is a writer, with varied interests and one of the founders of Her Stories, a feminist publishing house, based in Chennai.
In a candid conversation she shared her journey from small-town Tamil Nadu to becoming a history buff, an award-winning author and now a publisher.
Nivedita was born and raised in a small town in Tamil Nadu. It was for schooling that she first arrived in Chennai. Then known as Madras, she recalls being awed by the city. Her love-story with the city, its people and thus began which continues till date. She credits her perseverance and passion to make a difference to her days as a vocational student among the elite sections of Madras.
Please enter your email address