Women's Day 2025: Is notion of being mere 'baby-making machine' losing appeal in Kerala?
In Kerala, a new wave of women is challenging traditional expectations by prioritising career growth while asserting their reproductive rights. From delaying motherhood to exploring alternative options, they are reshaping the conversation around family planning and professional aspirations. As Women’s Day 2025 highlights the evolving role of women in the workforce, their fight for autonomy over being mere ‘baby-making machine' stereotype stands as a powerful statement on gender equality and professional ambition.
The number of women opting to freeze their eggs has been rising in the state in recent years. According to Dr Sneha Ann Abraham, a consultant at the Fertility Clinic in KIMSHEALTH Thiruvananthapuram, both married and single women are considering the procedure. Key reasons include career priorities, financial stability, delaying motherhood, and oncofertility—preserving fertility before cancer treatment, she said.
“In the past, egg freezing was primarily undertaken for medical reasons, such as preserving healthy eggs before chemotherapy or other treatments. In contrast, social egg freezing (is a procedure that allows women to freeze their eggs for non-medical reasons) is now gaining popularity in Kerala. There is a definite increase in the number of women opting for egg freezing,” she said.
“Egg freezing is mainly chosen by those who are career-driven and wish to establish themselves professionally before focusing on childbearing. Some of the reasons cited by clients include work-related relocation, awaiting a transfer to a preferred location, impending promotions, or commitments in stage and theatre that require postponing pregnancy. Career planning often takes precedence over family planning, and some individuals remain undecided about marriage,” she added.
“The age group we now see is between 30 and 39 years. However, egg freezing is more common among unmarried and single women, while embryo freezing is preferred by married women,” Dr Sneha noted.
“Egg freezing allows pregnancy to be delayed. As ovarian reserve diminishes with age, we recommend egg freezing so that women can conceive later using their own eggs,” she explained.
Interestingly, the trend comes at a time when not only some faith leaders but also politicians and researchers are advocating for higher birth rates in southern states of India. According to official data, Tamil Nadu has the lowest fertility rate at 1.4, followed by Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Kerala at 1.5, while Karnataka stands at 1.6. These figures are much lower than the national average of 2.1. Recently, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed concerns over low fertility, highlighting its potential impact on demographics, the economy, social structure, and political representation at the national level.
Feminist perspective
While many advocate for higher birth rates, feminist perspectives highlight the burden placed on women. Unlike men, women bear the physical and societal pressures of pregnancy. Critics argue that discussions on increasing population often overlook the disproportionate responsibility placed on women. Women are expected to navigate both their biological clocks and societal expectations, making fertility a gendered issue.
Role of science
Major investments are being made in genetic research, with some countries already producing genetically modified humans. There is also growing interest in synthetic wombs, which some believe could eventually help ease the burden of fertility on women. Advances in reproductive science continue to evolve, raising ethical and societal questions about the future of human reproduction.