Family planning policy covers both genders

Hyderabad: Onus of family planning is not only on women but also on men, according to a draft policy issued by the ministry of women and child development though it is focused only on women.

Even medical practitioners like gynaecologists counsel only women to opt for sterilisation. Most men are not even aware of vasectomy. Consequently, few men opt for the procedure.

According to National Family Health Survey data, 54.2 per cent women in TS and 68.3 per cent in AP have opted for tubectomy. In either state, only 1.6 per cent of men opted for vasectomy. The use of contraceptives like pills and condoms is extremely low at 0.2 per cent.

Senior gynaecologist Dr Preeti Reddy said Indian households consider family planning as a women’s problem. “The tubectomy that she undergoes is risky and can lead to complications. Vasectomy can be done under local anaesthesia and is a comparatively safer procedure,” she said.

Dr Geeta Naidu, senior gynaecologist, said, “A handful of motivated men  come on their own and get the procedure done. Often the wife is not even aware of the procedure. Many of them hide the fact from the family and friends as they feel that they will be the butt of jokes.”

She said if there has to be responsibility fixed on them, change has to come in the form of educating the couple. The problem arises as proper methods are not followed for contraception, and initiatives in terms of educating families are limited. Natural contraception methods are not inculcated in the family systems. Early marriages and early birth of children is the norm.