Book 2 - Ebu

Learning Resource Kit: Book 2
8. There is a gender dimension to economic developments, including financial
distress. For example, official statistics reveal that more men than women
commit suicide in India. According to the National Crime Records Bureau,
most male suicides can be traced to “social and economic causes” (bankruptcy
and sudden change in economic status, professional/career problems, property
disputes, unemployment, poverty, etc.). If economic causes predominate among
reasons for male suicides it could be due to the social pressure on men to be
successful breadwinners – which is, in turn, related to the gender-differentiated
roles women and men are expected to perform in patriarchal societies.
9. There is no dearth of sources and resources that can be tapped to figure out
whether or not an event or process has any special implications for women,
including different categories of women, as well as other vulnerable sections of
society whose voices are not commonly heard in the media. Make an effort to
seek them out.
10. The media are well placed to remind the government, official agencies, financial
institutions and society as a whole about the special economic needs, concerns
and problems of various categories of people, including women. Use your
position as a journalist to ensure that this happens.
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