In Indonesia, poor men are offered to be sterilized in exchange for social assistance
Indonesian men applying for welfare must undergo mandatory sterilization. This initiative was announced by the governor of the West Java province, Dedi Mulyadi, informs NST.
Dedi Mulyadi noted that this requirement is part of the policy to fight poverty in the region. Birth control through sterilization can be an effective tool in solving social problems. As an incentive, men who agree to the procedure are offered a cash payment of 500,000 rupees (about $30).
“We want to ensure that the aid will be distributed fairly among families. If sterilization helps to balance the load, it should be considered.” – emphasized Mulyadi.
In his opinion, sterilization is the optimal method of contraception for low-income families, stressing that “men should also be responsible for fertility issues.” He also noted that women sometimes forget to take contraceptives.
Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf noted that, despite the logic of the proposal, the government still needs more time to thoroughly analyze the possibility of its implementation. At the same time, the initiative drew sharp criticism from religious leaders and public activists. In response, the governor explained that sterilization is not a definitive method of contraception — provided that not much time has passed since the operation, it can be reversed.
