Men must be involved in family planning

Improve the scope of male sterilisation services, which are at present inadequate

The 11th report of the Common Review Mission of the National Health Mission (NHM), which was released on Monday, has once again pointed out that the entire burden of family planning continues to be on Indian women and men are loath to participate in it. The latest NHM data shows that women account for more than 93% of sterilisations in the country, even though male sterilisation is safer, quicker and easier. There are several reasons for the apathy of Indian men towards contraception: a lack of awareness of sexual and reproductive matters; a paucity of knowledge about appropriate contraceptive methods; myths and misconceptions; and poor access to services, information and counselling on available methods of contraception, their benefits and side effects and management.

In 2017, the Centre initiated a fresh push to revive family planning measures, and the ministry of women and child development wanted a shift in focus from female sterilisation to male sterilisation. While the PMO nod for the policy has not come yet, there must not be any delay in beginning a countrywide campaign to promote the adoption of vasectomy, including strategies to break gender stereotypes, dispel myths and position men as responsible partners. The government should also explore incentives, which can play an important role in sterilisation. More important, male sterilisation services, which are at present inadequate, must be improved across the country.