World Suicide Prevention Day is observed on September 10th every year, starting in 2003.
The initiative aims to raise awareness, reduce societal stigma, and address the critical issue of suicide prevention.
Since 2021, the theme for World Suicide Prevention Day has been 'Creating Hope Through Action,' with the goal of inspiring hope and strengthening preventive measures.
In India, there is a significant issue of suicide among housewives, which has consistently ranked among the top two occupational groups for suicide.
In 2021, the number of women who died by suicide in India reached 45,026, with more than half of them being housewives.
Housewives consistently account for over 50% of female suicides and around 15% of overall suicides.
Over 30% of all suicides in India, involving both men and women, are attributed to issues related to family or marriage.
Regional Trends: Economically prosperous states in the southern part of India tend to have higher suicide rates.
Factors contributing to this trend include shifting social roles after marriage and the clash between modern perspectives and traditional societal norms.
North-South Disparities: The south, with higher female literacy rates and greater access to mass media, experiences more pronounced pushback against traditional expectations.
In contrast, the north has lower levels of exposure among women.
The National Family Health Survey (2019-21) highlights challenges faced by married women in India, including limited mobility, restricted financial autonomy, marital control, and various forms of abuse by their spouses.
Violence Against Women: The data indicate that women in the lowest income bracket experience higher levels of violence and have less freedom compared to those from wealthier households.
A significant percentage of married women in the poorest households face controlling behavior from their husbands, such as restrictions on meeting friends, constant monitoring, jealousy, and lack of trust with money matters.
These behaviors are less prevalent in wealthier households.
A substantial proportion of married women in the poorest households experience physical, emotional, or sexual violence.
However, less than half of them seek help, mainly turning to friends and family rather than authorities. The incidence of violence is lower in wealthier households.
less than 40% of married women in the poorest quintile feel that they can visit places alone, and a slightly higher percentage have control over their own money, indicating limited freedom in their lives.
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