Q.9 Explain why suicide among young women is increasing in Indian society.

Introduction

The alarming rise in suicide cases among young women in India has become a significant point of concern. Recent statistics indicate an unsettling trend of heightened suicide rates among this group. For instance, according to a study published in The Lancet, India accounts for 37% of the global suicide deaths among women,

Body

Reasons behind the increasing suicide among young women in Indian society 

• Educational Pressures: The case of educational institutions like the IITs and other premier institutes recording cases of student suicides, including young women, underline the dire need to address the enormous pressure students are under, contributing to a rise in suicides.
• Identity Crisis: Platforms like Instagram have seen a rise in influencers emphasizing body positivity, indicating a reaction to prevalent body image issues and identity crises that many young women face today, sometimes leading to extreme actions including suicide.
• Financial Pressures: Economic hardships, often highlighted in documentaries and news features, show young women succumbing to the overwhelming pressure to contribute financially to their families, fostering environments where suicide rates are on the rise.
• Unemployment: Despite being highly educated, many women find stable employment elusive. Chanda Kochhar, once a celebrated banker, highlighted the challenges women face in the professional world, affecting their mental well-being.
• Unhealthy usage of technology: The digital age, while advantageous, brings its pitfalls. Cases like the “Blue Whale Challenge” spotlight the dangers young women can face online, from cyberbullying to extreme challenges.
• Increased Isolation: Although technology promotes connectivity, it can lead to isolation. The story of Ananya Birla, a young entrepreneur and musician, emphasizes the loneliness that even the successful feel in the tech-driven era.

Way Forward

• Mental Health Awareness: Taking a cue from initiatives like the “Live Love Laugh” foundation, a strong advocate for mental health, we need to foster open dialogues and awareness about mental health.
• Education System Reform: Drawing inspiration from holistic educational reforms in countries like Finland can be a way forward to lessen the academic pressures on young women.
• Online Safety Measures: Activists like Trisha Shetty emphasize strengthening online safety protocols and educating young women about technology’s perils. It can done by taking inspiration from stringent cyber laws in nations with lower cybercrime rates.
• Community Support: Leveraging examples of Grassroots organizations and initiatives like “Sangath” in Goa and the “Happy to Bleed” campaign like providing vital community networks, which have shown positive outcomes in supporting young individuals.

Conclusion

Going ahead, it is vital to foster a society that nurtures and supports young women through systemic changes that look at the well-being of an individual holistically, taking inspiration from the successful stories and initiatives globally and nationally. This can indeed pave the way for a safer environment, reducing suicide rates among young women in India.