Is suicide shameful?
There is great shock and sadness in Kenya at the news that Olympic gold medallist Samuel Wanjiru has died. Many questions are being asked including whether he committed suicide as one police chief has reported. Here at Africa Have Your Say we were surprised by the strong reaction the idea of suicide provoked among some contributors on social media. Some posted comments like ''suicide is for losers, real men brave the odds'' and ''suicide is a shortcut to hell''. These comments have prompted us to discuss Africa's attitude towards suicide. The World Health Organization says on average three thousand people commit suicide everyday around the world, which amounts to 1 million deaths every year. South Africa has one of the highest rates in the world with more than 20 people attempting to take their own lives every day. Is suicide a taboo subject in your community or country? Should we condemn those who commit, or attempt to commit suicide or should we feel sympathy for someone who is suffering so much they no longer wish to live? Do you know someone who committed suicide and want to share with us? Do you have support systems to identify and prevent people committing suicide? If you would like to debate this topic LIVE on air on Tuesday 17 May at 1600 GMT, please include a telephone number. It will not be published.
Comment number 1.
At 15:23 17th May 2011, Dineo wrote:African Society frowns upon man who display signs of being weak; asking for help with marital problems or accessing counseling services is considered unothordox. This puts a lot of societal pressure on men than women. As for suicide generally, it is considered as a sign of weakness as well, but for some people who cannot access any help to the multiple problems ( especially marital), suicide is the easy way out.
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Comment number 2.
At 16:42 18th May 2011, Nchang wrote:Suicide is not morally right. No one has the right to destroy what he cannot make.
In the North West Region of Cameroon, suicide is a taboo. One who commits suicide in this region of the country has no right to a befitting burial. This however pertains to hanging one' self. The area where the act is committed, is usually confiscated by the local authorities until a cleansing ritual is performed.
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Comment number 3.
At 13:48 22nd May 2011, Sahawe wrote:Yes in the African culture, it is considered a taboo and very shameful if someone takes their life. Most African families are superstitious and think suicide is not an individual problem but a clan problem. Africans think that life is valuable and there is no way anyone can just take their life. In some Asian and Western countries, suicide is not thought of as a big deal.
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