Assessment of Root Causes of Suicide Cases among Women in Ghizer District Formerly Known as Gilgit Baltistan During (2000-2004).

Assessment of Root Causes of Suicide Cases among Women in Ghizer District Formerly Known as Gilgit Baltistan During (2000-2004).

Researchers Aziz Ahmad & Sultan Rahim Khan

Root Causes of Attempting Suicides.

1.       Family clashes/ Domestic Violence

2.       Blames and Doubts on Character.

3.       Forced and Early Marriages

4.       Honour Killing

5.       Stress, Pychiatric disorder and fear

6.       Poverty and drug addiction

7.       Sense of insecurity among married women

8.       Failure of Girl student in Exams

Conclusions and Recommendations.

This study concludes that suicide as a social issue is increasing especially amongst young women in the District Ghizer of Northern Areas. Over the Period of 5 Years (2000-2004) the total number of reported cases were very low (41) as compared to the actual cases (63) identified through this research. As insight of these cases revealed that there are multiple factors causing such incidents such as inter family clashes and domestics violence being the leading one followed by the blames about the character of girl and women and forced and early marriages.

The study comes up with some recommendations to overcome these serious issues. These are mainly based on the observations, focus group discussions (FGD) and general opinions from the study locale and universe.

Recommendations:

·         There is a dire need of raising awareness about the value of human life which may help in mitigating the root causes e.g. violence, torture and other attitudes hence reducing the number of suicide cases. For this purpose, awareness raising campaigns can be initiated with the help of NGOs, CBOs and Government.

·         Special focus should be directed on students in school especially on females with programs which encourage them to take greater interest in their health and Self-esteem. Lessons regarding human rights especially women’s right should be included in the text book at school and college level

·         The regulations regarding arms, drugs and poisonous materials should be reviewed and tightened the Government agencies need to take serous steps in this regard. For this purpose, the government may seek the help of community based social organizations. Furthermore the law regarding suicide and attempted suicide in Northern Areas (Gilgit Baltistan) need to be reviewed and properly implemented.

·         The Human Rights Commission (HRC) should Establish its office in Gilgit Baltistan. Areas so that the violence, abuses and other similar issues could be monitored, reported and controlled.

·         Pilot based projects should be introduced for those individuals who have been rescued from suicide and for those who are at risk of suicide.

·         The Ministry of Health and NGOs working in the health sector should establish Psychiatry clinics in each districts of Gilgit Baltistan.

·         The local institutions mainly social organizations and religious institutions working in the communities should put more effort to eradicate this issue from the area. The educated members of society can play a positive role in the whole process.

·         There is an urgent need to review and modify the law regarding suicide so that people who attempt suicide and are at risk for further attempts can seek help without fear of being persecuted by the police, it is doubtful whether the law on suicide has any deterrent value.

·         The study needs to be expanded further for the purpose of more insight of this important issue. Furthermore projects will help in analysis of the rescued cases, identifying those at risk and helping them to avoid such cases in the future.