17 tubectomies performed for every vasectomy done in Mumbai

Reply to an application filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act has shown that even in the metropolitan city of Mumbai, the ration of sterilization done between the two genders is highly against the women. The data shows that during the past decade, the number of sterilization operation done on males was just 16,290 against 2.90 lakh surgeries performed on females. This shows that for every vasectomy (sterilization surgery on male) done, there are 17 tubectomies (sterilization surgery on female).

Vasectomy is a nearly zero-risk and no cut procedure with negligible failure rates. It is easier to perform when compared to tubectomy. Despite the advantages of vasectomy, the burden of family planning has traditionally been shared by the females in the countryside but the data obtained from BMC has come as a rude shock that even in the financial capital of the country, the situation remains as poor as the countryside with little hope of change in the near future. Government offers nearly a double incentive for those opting for vasectomy alongwith salary incentives and bonuses offered by certain departments.

The data shows that women opting for tubectomy in Mumbai has nearly halved from 42,185 in 2003-04 to 23,231 in 2013-14 while the use of Intra Uterine Devices (IUD) has increased. The reply further shows that the failure cases for tubectomy and vasectomy are as low as six in 2014, ten in 2013, 12 in 2012 and 22 The provisions of this Act shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained in the Official Secrets Act, 1923 (19 of 1923), and any other law for the time being in force or in any instrument having effect by virtue of any law other than this Act. in 2011.

Such skewed figures are an indicator of the society's mindset and unless the same is changed, women would continue to bear the burden of family planning and suffer the consequences like the recent accident in Bilaspur.