Delhi: Govt Data Shows Housewives Account For 44% Of Female Suicides In National Capital

Married women formed more than half the share of female suicide cases in the national capital in 2023, with housewives accounting for more than 40 per cent of the deaths, according to the latest Delhi government report.

In 2023, of the 836 female suicide deaths recorded in the city, 455 of them (54.43%) were married women. Housewives comprised 369 of the total female deaths, or 44.13 per cent, the data showed.

The trend has remained consistent over the past five years, including the pandemic period marked by mobility restrictions, economic distress and prolonged confinement at home.

ALSO READ: Online Gaming Horror: Ghaziabad Sisters Leave Suicide Note With Crying Emoji, Write 'Read Everything, It's The Truth'

In 2022, married women accounted for 521 of the 859 female suicide deaths, making up 60.65 per cent, while housewives comprised 387 deaths, or 45.05 per cent. In 2021 - a year significantly impacted by the second wave of COVID-19 - 421 of the 746 female suicide victims were married (56.43 per cent) and 351 were housewives (47.05 per cent).

Similarly, in 2020, when lockdowns were imposed for extended periods, married women accounted for 542 of the 895 female suicide deaths (60.56 per cent), while 410 victims were housewives (45.81 per cent).

In 2019, before the pandemic, 400 of the 768 female suicide deaths were married women (52.08 per cent) and 305 were housewives (39.71 per cent).

In 2023, of the total 3,131 suicide deaths recorded in the city, 2,295 were men and 836 were women. In 2022, the total number of suicides stood at 3,417, comprising 2,558 men and 859 women.

ALSO READ: Three Ghaziabad Sisters Jump To Death From Ninth Floor As Parents Object To Online Gaming; Chilling Details Emerge

The data further indicated that between 2019 and 2023, the highest number of suicide victims among women fell in the categories of housewives and married women, while among men, the most affected groups were the unemployed and married men, underscoring the role of economic and family-related pressures, officials said.

Disclaimer: If you or anyone you know needs help, please reach out to one of these helpline numbers: 022-27546669 (Aasra, Mumbai), +91 44 2464 0050 (Sneha, Chennai), 011-23389090, (Sumaitri, Delhi), 040-66202000 (Roshni, Hyderabad) , +91 11 41198666 (Sangath Tele-Counselling), 1800-599-0019 (Kiran), +918422984528, +91 8422984529 and +91 8422984530 (Samaritans), +91 8448440632 (Manodarpan), 14416 and 1800-891-4416 (Tele-MANAS)