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India: Difference between revisions

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India (view source)

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{| class="wikitable" style="width:200px; border:1px solid black;float:right"
[[File:India-flag-a4.jpg|300px | thumb|right|]]
|-
|colspan="8" style="text-align:center"|[[File:India-flag-a4.jpg|400px | thumb|right|]]
|-
| '''Contraception: Over-the-Counter'''
| condoms, pills
|-
| '''Contraception: Hospital/Clinic'''
|
|-
| '''Emergency Contraception'''
| no prescription required
|-
| '''STIs'''
| testing available; no travel restrictions
|-
| '''Menstrual Products'''
| pads, tampons, cups
|-
| '''Abortion Law'''
| legal up to 20 weeks of pregnancy
|-
| '''LGBTQ Laws'''
| homosexuality legal
|-
| '''Related Pages'''
| [[Mumbai]], [[New Delhi]]
|-
|}


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In India, contraceptives are fully legal. Oral contraceptives or condoms can be purchased at pharmacies, large stores or online. However, many women report feeling uncomfortable and harshly judged when buying contraceptives at pharmacies. For these reasons, they tend to visit pharmacies outside their neighborhoods or only pharmacies that have very few customers in line. Others avoid pharmacies entirely and buy online. Check out this [https://www.quora.com/How-difficult-is-it-for-women-to-buy-contraceptives-in-India Quora thread for some perspectives on buying contraceptives in India] for details. As someone wrote, "I have bought contraceptives from pharmacies in India but I make sure there are very few customers at the counter. It is definitely an intimidating experience. I am not embarrassed, but always worried about what if someone I know is there at the shop as well. But I can never ask the salesperson for choices. Sometimes, I write it down on a piece of paper and pass it on. If the salesperson is understanding, the contraceptive gets wrapped in a brown paper bag and I just pay for it without even checking the contents." Another user wrote, "Albeit the degree of judgment varies. Even if this female is a middle aged woman, looks married maybe, there is no narrow escape. But if this female looked like a normal college going girl, she would now be branded as a next door harlot." <ref>[https://www.quora.com/How-difficult-is-it-for-women-to-buy-contraceptives-in-India How difficult is it for women to buy contraceptives in India?]</ref>
In India, contraceptives are fully legal. Oral contraceptives or condoms can be purchased at pharmacies, large stores or online. In 2015, it was estimated that about 60% of Indian women (who are married/in unions and between ages 15 and 49) used any form of contraception, including traditional methods, and about 13% of women had unmet family planning needs. The most common form of contraception was female sterilization (used by 39% of women). This was followed by male condoms (about 6% of women), the rhythm method (about 5% of women), birth control pills (about 4% of women), withdrawal (about 2%) and IUDs (about 2% of women). There were very few women who used contraceptive injectables (0.1% of women) and practically no users of contraceptive implants (0.0% of women). A small percentage of women also depended on their male partner's sterilization as their primary form of birth control (about 1%).<ref>[http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/family/trendsContraceptiveUse2015Report.pdf Trends in
Contraceptive Use Worldwide 2015]</ref>
 
Many women report feeling uncomfortable and harshly judged when buying contraceptives at pharmacies. For these reasons, they tend to visit pharmacies outside their neighborhoods or only pharmacies that have very few customers in the store. Others avoid pharmacies entirely and buy online. Check out this [https://www.quora.com/How-difficult-is-it-for-women-to-buy-contraceptives-in-India Quora thread for some perspectives on buying contraceptives in India] for details.  
 
As someone wrote, "I have bought contraceptives from pharmacies in India but I make sure there are very few customers at the counter. It is definitely an intimidating experience. I am not embarrassed, but always worried about what if someone I know is there at the shop as well. But I can never ask the salesperson for choices. Sometimes, I write it down on a piece of paper and pass it on. If the salesperson is understanding, the contraceptive gets wrapped in a brown paper bag and I just pay for it without even checking the contents." Another user wrote, "Albeit the degree of judgment varies. Even if this female is a middle aged woman, looks married maybe, there is no narrow escape. But if this female looked like a normal college going girl, she would now be branded as a next door harlot." <ref>[https://www.quora.com/How-difficult-is-it-for-women-to-buy-contraceptives-in-India How difficult is it for women to buy contraceptives in India?]</ref>
 
There are additional hurdles for women who may wish to obtain contraceptives. When women live in rural or remote areas, it may be especially difficult for them to access contraceptives. They may also feel strongly discouraged from taking contraceptives from their husbands or communities.<ref>[https://globalpressjournal.com/asia/indian-administered_kashmir/high-himalayas-family-planning-services-inaccessible-nomadic-women/ High in the Himalayas, Family Planning Services Inaccessible to Nomadic Women]</ref>


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Regarding condom purchases, Mumbai locals are generally shy. Yet some younger women are becoming more comfortable. One medical worker told DNAIndia, "Women above the age of 35 are quite reserved, but the ones between 25 to 35 are the bold ones. Mostly women ask for condoms for men. A few months ago, a woman asked for female condoms. I didn't even know they existed." Another said, "Mostly men between the age group of 20-40 years buy condoms. We have few women customers who ask for them. Those who live in this area only buy medicines from us. The people who buy condoms don't live anywhere here because many are still very shy."<ref>[http://www.dnaindia.com/speak-up/report-mumbai-s-shy-asking-for-condoms-1096118 Mumbai's Shy Asking for Condoms]</ref>
Regarding condom purchases, many locals are generally shy. Yet some younger women are becoming more comfortable. One medical worker told DNAIndia, "Women above the age of 35 are quite reserved, but the ones between 25 to 35 are the bold ones. Mostly women ask for condoms for men. A few months ago, a woman asked for female condoms. I didn't even know they existed." Another said, "Mostly men between the age group of 20-40 years buy condoms. We have few women customers who ask for them. Those who live in this area only buy medicines from us. The people who buy condoms don't live anywhere here because many are still very shy."<ref>[http://www.dnaindia.com/speak-up/report-mumbai-s-shy-asking-for-condoms-1096118 Mumbai's Shy Asking for Condoms]</ref>


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• For all questions about sexuality, contraception and abortion https://lovematters.in/en/forum
* One great resource for abortion information is [https://mariestopes.org/where-we-work/india/ Marie Stopes India]. This NGO provides sexual and reproductive health care services around the globe. They will either be able to provide abortion services or to direct you to abortion services.
• Marzee Hotline for information about contraceptives and safe abortion: +919075764, Monday to Friday 10.00 am to 6.00 pm
* Another great resource is [http://asap-asia.org/ Asia Safe Abortion Partnership]. They work in many Asian countries, including India, and they provide a lot of helpful information, resources, and referrals.
* For general questions about sexuality, contraception, and abortion, you can contact [https://lovematters.in/en/forum Love Matters]. This is an online forum and community where people share information.
* Marzee Hotline for information about contraceptives and safe abortion: +919075764, Monday to Friday 10.00 am to 6.00 pm


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If you would like to obtain the abortion pill, here are some  brand names of Mifepristone that are available in India: Abopill, Mefeprin, Mifegest, Mifeprin, Mistrone, Mtpill, Termipill. Here are some brand names for Misoprostol that are available in India: A-Kare, Misonac, Misoprost, Cytotog, Zitotec, MsKare, Misogest.  
* If you would like to obtain the abortion pill, here are some  brand names of Mifepristone that are available in India: Abopill, Mefeprin, Mifegest, Mifeprin, Mistrone, Mtpill, Termipill. Here are some brand names for Misoprostol that are available in India: A-Kare, Misonac, Misoprost, Cytotog, Zitotec, MsKare, Misogest.


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* [https://mohfw.gov.in/ Ministry of Health & Family Welfare]
* [https://fpaindia.org/ Family Planning Association of India]: "Established in 1949, the Family Planning Association of India (FPAI) is a founding member of IPPF. Its work in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) covers safe motherhood and child survival, empowerment of women, male involvement, adolescent health and youth development. FPAI works closely with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the government. It runs 39 permanent clinics, 101 mobile facilities, and has a network of nearly 2,700 community-based distributors /services (CBDs/CBSs). It works with 563 private practitioners and 196 other agencies. In addition, FPAI operates 3 infertility clinics, a contraceptive retail sales programme, and a condom dispensing service. In total, FPAI operates over 4,000 service points." Email: fpai@fpaindia.org
* [https://mariestopes.org/where-we-work/india/ Marie Stopes India]: "We have two country programmes in India, delivering family planning and reproductive health services to thousands of women and men - Foundation for Reproductive Health Services India (formerly Marie Stopes India) and Population Health Services India... Looking for services in India? Use the contacts below to speak with our advisers: (+91) 11 4984 0000 / (+91) 40 3068 0659."
* [http://www.equaldex.com/region/india Equaldex India]: Click here to learn about LGBTQ rights and laws in India. Note that homosexuality is legal in India and it is legal to change gender (but surgery is required).
* [http://asap-asia.org/ ASAP Asia]: "In March 2008, 37 participants from 13 countries met in Kuala Lumpur and formed the Asia Safe Abortion Partnership (ASAP), facilitated by ICMA. This network has members from Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam." Goal: "To promote, protect and advance women’s sexual and reproductive rights and health in Asia, by promoting access to comprehensive safe abortion services and by reducing unsafe abortion and its complications."
* [http://asap-asia.org/ ASAP Asia]: "In March 2008, 37 participants from 13 countries met in Kuala Lumpur and formed the Asia Safe Abortion Partnership (ASAP), facilitated by ICMA. This network has members from Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam." Goal: "To promote, protect and advance women’s sexual and reproductive rights and health in Asia, by promoting access to comprehensive safe abortion services and by reducing unsafe abortion and its complications."
* [http://www.commonhealth.in/ Coalition for Maternal-Neonatal Health and Safe Abortions]
* [http://www.commonhealth.in/ Coalition for Maternal-Neonatal Health and Safe Abortions]
* [http://www.aiwc.org.in/ All India Women's Confernece]: "Our Vision: Emancipation, Education and Empowerment of Women." Phone: 91-11-23389680 / 1165. Email: info@aiwc.org.in


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|description=Find sexual, reproductive and women's health care in India.
|description=Find sexual, reproductive and women's health care in India.
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