State Minister Selma Aliye Kavaf, in response to a request by Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) deputy from Van Fatma Kurtulan, asked for a TurkStat report on suicide figures in Turkey. The report showed a relative increase compared to previous years. According to TurkStat figures, 392 men and 909 women committed suicide in 2002. These figures rose to 574 men and 1,131 women in 2003. The year that followed, however, showed a sharp increase, with 681 men and 1,026 women committing suicide.2005 saw a small dip, when 740 men and 963 women killed themselves. Only one year later saw a spike, with 1,782 men and 1,047 women ending their lives. The remaining two years the report cited showed that 1,802 men and 985 women had committed suicide in 2007 and 1,924 men and 892 women in 2008.
While depression is the primary reason behind why women commit suicide in Turkey, family arguments and problems are other important factors that pushed many women over the edge. In addition to financial problems, the other main reason cited for why men commit suicide in Turkey is mental disorders.
Stating that married women are much more exposed to violence, Kavaf noted that according to another report, 15 percent of married women have been victims of sexual assault, 40 percent of physical assault and 45 percent of verbal assault.
The age range of those cited in the report who committed suicide was between 15 and 34. Kavaf said women are more likely to commit suicide at a younger age than men. She also said that one-third of woman who are exposed to violence try to commit suicide.
