Socio-cultural Beliefs and Contraception Use among Women: A Reflection of Family Planning Programme in India

India became a forerunner country for introducing the National Family Planning Programme (NFPP) in 1952, which has now witnessed shifts in policy approach and implementation. This requires re-examining programme commitment and investment for realization of fulfilling women’s reproductive rights. This narrative review article, using an intersectional feminist perspective, aims to analyze the policy approach of the Indian Family Planning Programme (FPP) and understand contraceptive practices of women within their social contexts. The analysis of the study reveals that the family planning in India has emerged not merely as a population control measure but as a state-led health intervention intending to bring social transformation in terms of fertility choices and practices. However, viewed through an intersectional perspective, while the policy discourse is framed with empowering intent and means for reshaping health and well-being, it is often found with overemphasis on female methods, producing feminization of contraception. Moreover, the policy lacks male involvement and the empowering effects are deeply unequal, stratified and gendered. Therefore, the pathway to achieve greater family planning practices among women with gender equality lies in promoting a right, choice and consent-based policy implementation.