Contraception In India: Why Are Women Still Carrying Most Of The Responsibility?

From remembering pills and managing side effects to making decisions about permanent contraception, women often carry much of the responsibility for preventing pregnancy. But family planning is a shared responsibility, so why does the burden still fall disproportionately on women?

India's latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6), conducted in 2023 to 24, offers some important insights.

What Do The Numbers Tell Us?

Contraceptive use among currently married women rose from 66.7 per cent in NFHS-5 to 69.1 per cent in NFHS-6. However, the methods used reveal a persistent imbalance.

Female sterilisation accounts for 36.5 per cent of contraceptive use nationally, compared with just 0.5 per cent for male sterilisation. Meanwhile, traditional methods increased from 10.3 per cent to 16.4 per cent, while modern reversible methods declined from 56.4 per cent to 52.7 per cent.

These figures highlight why contraceptive uptake alone cannot tell us whether women have enough options or control over their reproductive decisions.

When Family Planning Becomes A Woman's Job

Contraception is more than a medical decision. Family expectations, financial circumstances, access to healthcare and unequal decision-making power can all influence a woman's choices.

Women may be expected to manage contraception, navigate side effects and attend appointments, while misconceptions about vasectomy can discourage men from considering permanent contraception.

Of course, every individual and couple has different needs. The concern is not which method someone chooses, but whether that choice is informed, voluntary and free from pressure.

Access Is Important, So Is Agency.

Meaningful reproductive choice means having access to different contraceptive methods, understanding their benefits and limitations, and being able to make decisions without judgement or coercion.

It also means involving men in family planning, not merely as supporters of women's choices, but as equal participants in preventing unintended pregnancies.

Healthcare providers must offer clear, non-judgemental counselling, while public health programmes should look beyond contraceptive numbers to assess whether people can make informed decisions.

Family Planning Should Be Shared, Not Assigned

Women should not have to carry the physical and practical responsibility for contraception simply because it has traditionally been expected of them.

Better access to healthcare, accurate information and a wider range of contraceptive options can help women exercise greater control over their reproductive lives.

Because family planning isn't just about preventing pregnancy. It's about ensuring that every decision, whether to have children, when to have them or whether not to have them at all, is informed, supported and genuinely one's own.