Asia-Plus publication – "Suicide as a protest. Why Tajik women throw themselves into rivers" caused a heated discussion on social networks. There was sympathy and condemnation in the comments, arguments about religion and morals, and even personal stories. But almost everyone agreed on one thing: the problem is much deeper than it seems at first glance.

Systemic pressure on women

Many readers have said that these tragedies are the result of many years of living in conditions where women do not have the right to vote.

"Now the concept of a "bride" is a servant. A wife should take care of her husband and children. After every birth, women experience postpartum stress. A woman is not a robot, not a stone, not an iron, she is also a human being."

Someone sees the root of the evil in impunity and unwillingness to marry.

"People fear neither Allah nor the law. They think that if they get married, then the wife or daughter-in-law is a rag under everyone's feet. Family is primarily about mutual respect, not enslavement. If a man and his mother are not ready to appreciate this, then let them not marry their sons."

Others believe that the solution lies in rejecting outdated traditions.

"A daughter-in-law should live with her mother-in-law: why? The young ones should live separately, build their nest. The woman is not a slave, she is also someone's daughter."

Readers also talked about the right of a woman to make her own decision about motherhood, to have knowledge and a responsible approach.

"You can have a lot of children, but what can you give them? This standard of 10 children has long outlived its usefulness... you can have less, but give them everything–love, affection, and knowledge."

The need for shelters and real help

The idea of a shortage of social services was repeatedly voiced in the comments.

"There are shelters for stray animals in the country, but there are no shelters for women who are beaten by their husbands, or information about them is unavailable."

One of the readers recalled that a suicide attempt automatically leads to psychiatric registration, and untreated injuries and depression can lead to new tragedies. She added that the bad attitude in the family towards daughters–in-law is often a vicious circle:

"Such mothers-in-law were also bullied at one time. Those who scold are also out of their minds."

One of the readers proposed a whole reform plan: from affordable housing and loans for young families to punishing relatives who drove a woman to despair.

"Like all problems, we need to solve them through the Criminal Code of the Republic of Tajikistan. To increase penalties for those who are the cause of this tragedy, rather than creating "myths of ancient Greece" that she was mentally unstable."

The role of education and religion

Sadyk Abdulloev, a user, is confident that education and religious literacy can reduce the risk of tragedies:

"There are almost no suicides in the urban environment, since all urban girls receive higher education or work somewhere. The role of religion was forgotten. We all consider ourselves Muslims, but there is no religious literacy. Unfortunately, not all men fulfill their duties towards women according to Islam."

They also reminded us about the norms of Islam: a wife is not obliged to serve her husband's entire family, but he himself must be her support.

"Is anyone interested in what her dreams are, what she wants? And where is her husband, who promises to be her support during the Nikah ceremony?"

They also touched on the spiritual side of the problem:

 "Suicide is a sin, and fewer and fewer God–fearing people remain. Just one word. But in reality, everyone is just hypocrites and liars."