Centre for South Asian Studies

Film screening, followed by Q/A with the filmmaker and discussion

*Warning: this event will discuss suicide and self-harm that some people may find upsetting

A short film that explores the concept of a virtuous woman and how culture, shame and honour can lead to self-harm and suicide in Nepal.

Who is a good woman? A young Nepali woman asks this question to herself, school children, university students, sociologists, anthropologists and medical doctors. Her exploration leads her to understand that in some situations, female suicide is believed to be a response to socially accepted oppression and abuse that women are subjected to in their families and communities. Also, in low and middle-income countries, suicide is not always a mental health problem. It is a layered issue which can overlap between mental distress caused by stressful situations, conflict, grief and mental health problems.

In Nepal, suicide is the single leading cause of death among women of reproductive age.

It is a serious but neglected public health problem. Research shows that adolescents, youths, and females are the most vulnerable population to die by suicide.

Her name was Sita is dedicated to a 16-year-old girl who died trying to prove she was worthy of love. 

This event will be chaired by Prof. Michael Eddleston, Deanery of Clinical Sciences, UoE