DUSHANBE/KHUJAND, January 25, 2011, Asia-Plus — The chairperson of the Committee for Women and Family Affairs, Sumangul Taghoyeva, told reporters on January 24 that 703 cases of suicide and attempted suicide were recorded in Tajikistan in 2010, which is 106 cases more than in 2009.
According to her, 310 suicides were committed by women and 107 others by minors. “The number of women committed suicide increased by 42 cases last year,” Taghoyeva said, noting that the majority of the known cases of attempted suicide were related to family problems.
The most serious suicide situation is in the northern Sughd province, she added.
Taghoyeva noted that to stem an increase in the number of suicides and raise educational level 75 information and consultative and 31 crisis centers have been set up across the country to make available free legal and psychological support for victims of domestic abuse.
In the meantime, the Sughd police directorate reports the recorded cases of suicide and attempted suicide rose 16.2 percent, or 49 cases, in a year to January 1, 2011, reaching 309, including 103 cases of attempted suicide.
147 suicides were committed by men, 121 by women and 41 by minors, the source said, noting the largest number of suicide cases was reported in the cities of Chkalovsk, Isfara, Konibodom and Taboshar as well as in the Bobojonghafurov, Spitamen, Ghonchi, Jabborrasulov, Zafarobod and Asht districts.
“20 persons are currently standing trial for driving people to suicide,” the source added.
