In Bangladesh, women commit more suicide than men and most women who take their lives are between 14 and 30, believe social analysts.
Dowry related violence, sexual abuse, domestic violence, social pressure and traditional norms to suppress women often lead to self-immolation.
In Bangladesh, on average, ten thousand people commit suicide every year and, in the sub-continent, 65 lakh people are under the threat of suicide. World Health Organisation, WHO, report ranks Bangladesh tenth in the world for suicide.
The rate of suicide in the villages is 17 times more than that in the urban areas. Most of those who take their lives are uneducated and poor.
General-secretary of Bangladesh Women Journalists’ Association, Parvin Sultana Jhuma, told Bangla Tribune: “women now face a lot of pressure – at the work place and also at home, which creates discontentment among many, often leading to depression and suicide.”
Legal adviser of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, advocate Dipti Sikder, told Bangla Tribune: “unable to tolerate dowry related torture, many women take their lives.”
Many young girls, who are victims of sexual harassment and cannot talk about it to their parents due to social conservatism, commit suicide, she added.
“Women are more prone to depression than men which also sows fatal thoughts in them.”
Dr. Selina Fatema, says: “society does not try to understand the emotional trauma that snowball within a woman, forcing her to take her own life.”
We have to be aware of the complex emotional issues of women and ensure that they do not face prejudice in any way, she observed.
“If proper counselling is provided, then many can be brought back from the path of premature ends.”