Female sterilization and ethical issues: The Indian experience

In: Social change, Band 39, Heft 3, S. 365-387

Abstract

In view of the prevalent gender norms that rationalize the bargaining power of women, lack of informed choice and high infant as well as child mortality, female sterilization as a family planning measure in India raises questions that need urgent attention in the broader context of individual freedom and human ethics. Data from the District Level Household Survey-Reproductive and Child Health (2002-04) covering a nationally representative sample of 507622 currently married women aged 15-44 years has been used for the present analysis. Bivariate and multivariate analyses have been performed to identify the factors associated with female sterilization acceptance within the broader framework of ethical issues. Although about one-third of Indian women use female sterilization as a method for regulating fertility, analysis reveals that people from different socio-economic, religious and demographic strata do not generally opt for sterilization in equal proportion. Informed choice has found to be very poor among women and so also the quality of available services. The need of the hour is to offer choice and quality services. Besides sensitizing the providers about the importance of ethical issues, government need to think over improving information education and communication, better quality services, and importance on spacing methods.