Subject: Women

India accounts for approximately 37% of global female suicide deaths. It is now the leading cause of death for Indian women aged 15-39.

Causes Behind Increasing Suicide Among Young Women

Housewives – over 50% of suicides

Marriage-related pressures and domestic violence

social isolation, lack of economic agency, and the “unseen” nature of domestic labor

Students

Academic and career stress – Rising aspirations without sufficient support. Eg- Student suicides in Kota.

Inadequate counselling facilities in schools, colleges, and hostels.

Working women

Cyberbullying and Online harassment culture affect self-worth. Eg- Trolling, non-consensual sharing of images.

Workplace discrimination and sexual harassment

Social causes

Intersectional vulnerabilities – Caste, class, and rural disadvantage intensify distress. Eg- Dalit and rural women

Patriarchal control – Restrictions on mobility, education, and choice generate helplessness. Eg- Family opposition to inter-caste or inter-faith relationships.

Child Marriages – 23% women are married before 18 (NFHS-5) – exposes them to abusive relationship

Weak institutional support systems –

Mental health neglect and stigma – Depression and anxiety often go undiagnosed and untreated.

India has 0.75 psychiatrist per 1 lakh people (global avg – 13)

Way Forward

Implementation of National Suicide Prevention Strategy to reduce suicide mortality by 10% by 2030.

WHO’s “LIVE LIFE” Approach- limiting access to means , responsible media reporting to prevent “copycat” suicides, and fostering life skills in adolescents.

Training “frontline” community members like ASHA workers to identify early warning signs and providing counselling.

Implementing Saha Guidelines for preventing student suicide

Integrating “Cyber-Safety” and mental health resilience into the school curriculum.

Workplace Wellness Mandates- Eg- POSH workshops and mental health support

As highlighted by World Health Organization, suicide is preventable through timely intervention and supportive environments.

“I measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achieved.” – Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

Need to take Gender Concerns into account

Better targeting in welfare schemes – Eg- women constitute 63% of agriculture workforce but own only 13% land – incorporating gender concerns can address this gap

Correcting historical disadvantage – Eg- houses registered in the name of women under PM Awas Yojana

Maximizing Economic Returns- The IMF notes that closing the gender gap could boost India’s GDP by 27%.

Improving Efficiency- Eg- involving women in water committees under Jal Jeevan Mission ensures better maintenance as they are the primary water managers.

Upholding Constitutional Mandates- Article 15(3) allows for special provisions for women. Gender-sensitive design fulfills this obligation.

Long term Social Change happens when women are “agents” rather than “beneficiaries.” Eg- Kudumbashree in Kerala

Achieving SDG’s like 1(ending poverty), 3 (health and wellbeing) and 5 (gender equality)

Enhancing development outcomes – Gender inclusion multiplies benefits. Eg- Educating girls improves health, nutrition, and intergenerational outcomes.

Global best practices and commitments – Eg- Gender budgeting advocated by UN Women.

To awaken the people, it is the women who must be awakened. Once she is on the move, the family moves, the village moves, the nation moves.

Communalism, Regionalism & Secularism.