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Men Avoid Responsibility; Women Bear the Brunt of Family Planning Burdens
Pune: Despite male sterilization being a simpler, safer, and quicker procedure compared to female sterilization, the burden of family planning in Maharashtra continues to fall primarily on women. In the 2025-26 financial year, out of a total of 281,000 family planning surgeries performed in the state, a staggering 275,000 were undergone by women, whereas only 6,462 were performed on men. This translates to women accounting for 97.70% of the procedures, while men account for a mere 2.30%.
Male sterilization is a minor, no-scalpel procedure performed under anesthesia that takes just 15 to 30 minutes to complete. It is considered a safe and permanent method of contraception. The government even provides an incentive grant of ?1,500 for male sterilization. However, health experts believe that male participation remains extremely low due to social misconceptions, erroneous notions regarding masculinity, and a patriarchal mindset.
On the other hand, the responsibility for sterilization is often placed on women following childbirth or a Caesarean section. This subjects them to additional physical and mental stress. Statistics indicate that such surgeries are performed on approximately 280,000 to 300,000 women annually.
Statistics on family planning surgeries in the state:
2023-24: 303,000
2024-25: 286,000
2025-26: 281,000
Health department officials state that family planning is not solely a woman's responsibility; equal participation from men is essential. There is a need to change societal mindsets, raise public awareness, and dispel misconceptions surrounding male sterilization.
This report is based on a story by Lokmat. It is necessary to implement public awareness campaigns more effectively to increase male participation in family planning.
Pune: Despite male sterilization being a simpler, safer, and quicker procedure compared to female sterilization, the burden of family planning in Maharashtra continues to fall primarily on women. In the 2025-26 financial year, out of a total of 281,000 family planning surgeries performed in the state, a staggering 275,000 were undergone by women, whereas only 6,462 were performed on men. This translates to women accounting for 97.70% of the procedures, while men account for a mere 2.30%.
Male sterilization is a minor, no-scalpel procedure performed under anesthesia that takes just 15 to 30 minutes to complete. It is considered a safe and permanent method of contraception. The government even provides an incentive grant of ?1,500 for male sterilization. However, health experts believe that male participation remains extremely low due to social misconceptions, erroneous notions regarding masculinity, and a patriarchal mindset.
On the other hand, the responsibility for sterilization is often placed on women following childbirth or a Caesarean section. This subjects them to additional physical and mental stress. Statistics indicate that such surgeries are performed on approximately 280,000 to 300,000 women annually.
Statistics on family planning surgeries in the state:
2023-24: 303,000
2024-25: 286,000
2025-26: 281,000
Health department officials state that family planning is not solely a woman's responsibility; equal participation from men is essential. There is a need to change societal mindsets, raise public awareness, and dispel misconceptions surrounding male sterilization.
This report is based on a story by Lokmat. It is necessary to implement public awareness campaigns more effectively to increase male participation in family planning.
Male sterilization is a minor, no-scalpel procedure performed under anesthesia that takes just 15 to 30 minutes to complete. It is considered a safe and permanent method of contraception. The government even provides an incentive grant of ?1,500 for male sterilization. However, health experts believe that male participation remains extremely low due to social misconceptions, erroneous notions regarding masculinity, and a patriarchal mindset.
On the other hand, the responsibility for sterilization is often placed on women following childbirth or a Caesarean section. This subjects them to additional physical and mental stress. Statistics indicate that such surgeries are performed on approximately 280,000 to 300,000 women annually.
Statistics on family planning surgeries in the state:
2023-24: 303,000
2024-25: 286,000
2025-26: 281,000
Health department officials state that family planning is not solely a woman's responsibility; equal participation from men is essential. There is a need to change societal mindsets, raise public awareness, and dispel misconceptions surrounding male sterilization.
This report is based on a story by Lokmat. It is necessary to implement public awareness campaigns more effectively to increase male participation in family planning.
