Gender Disparity in Delhi Sterilisation Trends: Women's Burden in Focus

Sterilisation procedures in Delhi predominantly involve women, as data from 2024-25 show over 97% were female. Despite policy efforts, male sterilisation remains low. The consistent gender imbalance suggests societal and awareness barriers persist. Decline in oral contraceptive use further underscores the need for balanced family planning approaches.

Recent data from the Statistical Hand Book, Delhi 2025, highlights a stark gender imbalance in sterilisation procedures, predominantly affecting women. Of the 14,543 procedures conducted in 2024-25, over 97% were performed on women, with only 301 males opting for sterilisation.

The continued trend over recent years shows that despite family welfare services penetrating households, the burden of permanent contraception unequivocally rests on women. Medical professionals express concern over the societal and awareness factors contributing to this disparity.

A decline in oral contraceptive use further complicates the scenario, raising questions about the effectiveness of policy efforts aimed at promoting male responsibility in family planning. Experts suggest that more focused outreach and incentive programs are essential to achieve balanced reproductive health initiatives.