From Mad in South Asia: Western theories rely on individual and mental illness factors to understand suicide. However, South Asian cultures marked by collectivism and an inter-dependent culture bring forward unique stressors. For instance, patriarchy affects women across the globe, but also differently in South Asia. For example, dowry which is a prevalent custom in South Asia is one such unique factor. In many cases, this leads to less power and autonomy for women as compared to their male counterparts. Moreover, specific sociocultural factors like marriage and the burden of childcare, which women have to bear across the globe but more acutely in parts of South Asia, have also been known to put South Asian women at risk of suicide.
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