NAINITAL: Pointing at the huge gender divide when it comes to sterilisation in Uttarakhand , an RTI query by a Haldwani-based activist has revealed that 4,79,513 women underwent tubectomy (women sterilisation surgery) compared to just 29,801 men who opted for vasectomy (male sterilisation surgery) in the past 18 years. A quick back of the envelope calculation shows that this translates into 6.2% men who underwent such surgeries in the state compared to 93.8% women who went through these procedures.The data obtained by activist Hemant Gauniya clearly indicates that women in Uttarakhand are solely bearing the onus of family planning vis-a-vis men who refrain from pregnancy preventative surgeries. Examples abound in almost every area.Sakshi (name changed) from a village in Nainital district first hesitates to talk about tubectomy, which she underwent in December last year but then slowly opens up. “After having two children, my husband decided that I should undergo the procedure to avoid having another child whom we won't be able to afford to raise. My husband refused to go for the operation but instead asked me to go ahead without giving any logical explanation. I only hope that the decision benefits our lives.”Expressing concern at this trend, Tanuja Joshi, an activist from Haldwani , said, “It is a good sign that women are opting for the procedure to avoid unwanted pregnancy. But why is the burden not being shared? Mindset of people needs to change.”Endocrinologist Dr Preksha Pande told TOI, “Most men link sterilisation with impotency and hardly opt for it. Also, most women undergo tubectomy during caesarean process. These are the main reasons behind the trend but having said that, the mindset of the people also needs to change.”She added that the procedure of tubectomy has its own risks. “For example if not performed properly, there are chances of excessive bleeding, abdomen infection and sometimes might also result in an ectopic pregnancy (a case in which the egg is fertilized outside the uterus).”Incidentally, the trend of higher cases of women undergoing sterilisation is prevalent across the country.A National Health Mission report published last year stated that throughout the country, only 6.9% men opted for preventive surgery, vasectomy. The report also mentioned that 93.1% of the sterilisations were performed on women.Notably, in 2016, the Supreme Court had put a ban on sterilisation camps after reports that around 363 women had died after undergoing tubectomy between 2010 and 2013.