With the World Population Day being observed on Wednesday, the Department of Family Welfare is keen on promoting temporary contraceptive methods for women.
A rally to create awareness and a number of competitions were held to mark the day in Vellore district.
Events held
A. Shanthi, Deputy Director, Family Welfare, Vellore, said events to create awareness about population control and hazards due to increase in population were being held for a fortnight at the block-level and district-level.
“We are promoting temporary contraceptives for women. While men are hesitant to come forward for sterilisation, some women are unfit or have complications making permanent contraception impossible,” she said.
Hence, there was focus on temporary contraceptives. ‘Antara’, an injectable contraceptive, can be administered once in three months, while ‘Chhaya’, a pill, can be taken once in a week by women, she said.
Both were available in all government health facilities including primary health centres and health sub-centres, she added.
“These two temporary contraceptives have an efficacy of 99.7%,” she added. As part of the day, a rally was taken out by students of four colleges from Gandhi Statue to Town Hall.
Collector S. A. Raman flagged off the rally, and later presented prizes to winners of competitions held as part of the World Population Day.