New data from Mumbai's civic health body has laid bare a significant and persistent gender disparity in permanent contraception choices within the city. Despite higher monetary incentives for men, the responsibility for surgical sterilisation continues to fall overwhelmingly on women.
The Stark Numbers: A Tale of Two Genders
According to statistics from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) health department, a mere 4% of the 34,805 sterilisation surgeries performed in Mumbai between 2022 and 2025 were conducted on men. This translates to only about 1,467 vasectomies. In stark contrast, a staggering 33,338 women underwent tubal ligation procedures during the same three-year period.
The data further highlights the heavy reliance on female-centric temporary contraception methods. The BMC reported that 10,175 women received Antara injectable contraceptives, a hormonal shot effective for three months. Additionally, Copper-T intrauterine devices were inserted for 61,353 women, and another 56,000 women were provided with contraceptive pills. The civic body does not maintain precise data on condom distribution, though it is estimated to exceed 5 million units annually.
Incentives and Misconceptions: Root Causes of the Imbalance
This glaring imbalance exists even though the financial incentive for men to opt for a vasectomy is substantially higher. Men receive Rs 1,451 for the procedure, while women are paid only Rs 250. Medical experts point to deep-seated social attitudes and a lack of options as the primary drivers.
Dr. Rahul Mayekar, a gynaecologist at Sion Hospital, explained that male sterilisation is medically "far easier"—a ten-minute procedure with minimal physical toll. Female sterilisation, however, is a more invasive abdominal surgery to seal, cut, or block the fallopian tubes. He attributes the skewed statistics to a "medieval or chauvinistic mindset among men, combined with misconceptions and stigma around sterilisation."
The Missing Male Contraceptive
Dr. Mayekar also emphasised that the disparity is exacerbated by the absence of temporary contraceptive options for men. "Male contraceptive pills are still not available. There was research on it in China, but none in India. So most temporary contraceptive methods remain tilted towards women," he stated. This leaves couples with a lopsided set of choices, placing the long-term and short-term burden of family planning largely on women.
When questioned about condom data, BMC Executive Health Officer Dr. Daksha Shah noted that specific figures were unavailable as distribution is variable and many people purchase them privately. The BMC's data paints a clear picture of Mumbai's family planning landscape, underscoring the need for targeted awareness campaigns to promote male participation and address the societal myths surrounding vasectomy.
