Why in the News?

According to NFHS-5, 97% of women and 97.5% of men are aware of modern contraceptives, yet the burden primarily falls on women, with female sterilisation being the most prevalent.

What are the current trends in contraceptive decision-making among Indian couples?

• Dominance of Female Sterilization: As of the latest reports, female sterilisation accounts for 37.9% of total sterilizations, while male sterilisation through vasectomies remains critically low at just 0.3%.
• Decline in Male Sterilization: The use of male sterilization has been steadily decreasing over the past three decades.
  • Data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) show that the percentage of vasectomies has remained stagnant at around 0.3% in both NFHS-4 (2015-16) and NFHS-5 (2019-20), reflecting a broader trend of declining male participation in family planning.
• Government Targets Not Met: The National Health Policy 2017 aimed to increase male sterilization to at least 30%, a target that remains unmet, indicating systemic issues within the family planning framework.

How does societal perception impact men’s involvement in family planning?

• Perception of Burden: Many men view vasectomy as an undue burden, fearing loss of wages and questioning their masculinity. Women often echo this sentiment, believing that men should not be “burdened” by sterilization responsibilities due to their economic roles.
• Lack of Awareness: There is a widespread lack of awareness regarding the benefits and safety of vasectomies, compounded by misconceptions about their effects on libido and masculinity. This misinformation contributes to low acceptance rates among men.
• Cultural Norms: Traditional gender roles reinforce the notion that women should handle family planning, leading to a lack of male engagement in reproductive health discussions.

What strategies can be implemented to promote shared responsibility in contraceptive use? (Way forward)

• Education and Awareness Campaigns: Initiatives should focus on educating both genders about reproductive health and shared responsibilities through school programs and community workshops. Early sensitization can help normalize discussions around male sterilization.
• Conditional Cash Incentives: Increasing financial incentives for men who opt for vasectomies can encourage participation. Evidence from Maharashtra suggests that cash incentives have led to higher rates of vasectomy acceptance among rural men.
• Training Healthcare Providers: Enhancing training for healthcare workers on no-scalpel vasectomies can improve service delivery, particularly in rural areas with limited access to skilled practitioners.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Drawing lessons from countries like South Korea and Brazil, India can implement mass media campaigns to reshape societal attitudes towards male contraceptive responsibility, emphasising the safety and simplicity of vasectomies compared to female sterilization procedures.
• Policy Implementation with Concrete Steps: The government should ensure that policies are actionable, with clear steps outlined to achieve targets related to male participation in family planning efforts.

Mains PYQ:

Q Discuss the main objectives of Population Education and point out the measures to achieve them in India in detail. (UPSC IAS/2021)

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now