BHOPAL: Women health workers in Madhya Pradesh are refusing to distribute condoms in a government-sponsored family planning measure, citing it as an exercise ‘against their dignity’.

"We are working for the implementation of other schemes and initiatives, but this is awkward. It is against our dignity,” said Mithlesh Vishwakarma, president of ASHA (accredited social health activists) workers association in Damoh district. ASHA workers are either daughters- in-law or daughters from these villages -- how can they go and sell condoms, she asked. “So we are opposing it, though when it comes to other initiatives we are ready to work,” Mithlesh added.

Damoh is one of the 34 districts in MP where this scheme, aimed at ensuring home delivery of contraceptives, is being implemented on a pilot basis. Overall, the scheme is being implemented in 233 districts in 17 states of the country.

“We have discussed with the workers but it has some practical problems. Men too feel awkward in asking for condoms from women health workers,” district programme manager of the health department in Rajgarh district, Anand Bhardwaj said. “I think if condoms are provided in wrappers, and if workers are not asked to charge anything for it, then it could work.”

The scheme is also meant to provide the workers with an income, wherein they sell the condoms, provided to them for free, at Re 1 per packet. But it has not taken off in most of the districts that were meant to implement it.

President of ASHA workers union in Hoshangabad district, Shama Parveen said, “As of now we are not being asked to do so, but if asked, it’s not possible on our part to distribute condoms door to door.” She is seconded by Afsana, president of ASHA workers union in Anuppur : “We feel uncomfortable in selling condoms.”

Incharge of the state’s family planning initiatives, J L Mishra admitted there were some problems but said the situation could be assessed only after going through the records.

