Bhubaneswar, Dec 8: Odisha’s latest sterilisation figures tabled in the Assembly reveal a stark and persistent gender imbalance, with women continuing to shoulder almost the entire burden of permanent family planning, while men remain overwhelmingly reluctant to opt for vasectomy.

Odisha Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling’s written reply shows that for more than a decade, female sterilisation cases have outnumbered male sterilisation by a ratio of nearly 50:1 in most years. The numbers highlight the continued social stigma and misconceptions surrounding male sterilisation, placing a disproportionate responsibility on women.

Between 2014–15 and 2024–25, Odisha consistently recorded extremely low participation from men in sterilisation programmes. In 2014–15, over 1.03 lakh women underwent sterilisation compared to just 2,065 men. The following years show the same pattern: in 2015–16, 1.14 lakh women opted for sterilisation while only 2,377 men did the same.

The trend continues through the decade, with 2016–17 logging 1.05 lakh female sterilisations against 2,635 male procedures, and 2017–18 recording 86,636 women versus 1,148 men. The numbers remain sharply skewed even in recent years. In 2022–23, 92,915 women underwent sterilisation compared to 1,569 men, and in 2023–24, 80,403 women against 1,792 men.

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Even the latest provisional data for 2024–25 shows no change in pattern — 80,350 women have undergone sterilisation, while only 2,443 men have opted for the procedure. The data make it clear that women continue to carry the burden of permanent contraception in the state.

Column-Style Data (Year-wise)
Year           Women Sterilised       Men Sterilised
2014–15        1,03,320                      2,065
2015–16        1,14,604                      2,377
2016–17        1,05,066                      2,635
2017–18          86,636                       1,148
2018–19          80,333                       1,373
2019–20          77,478                       1,433
2020–21          54,353                          719
2021–22          82,152                          991
2022–23          92,915                       1,569
2023–24          80,403                       1,792
2024–25*        80,350                        2,443

Despite repeated awareness campaigns and the fact that vasectomy is medically simpler, safer and quicker than female sterilisation, the uptake among men remains extremely low.