Arki (Ranchi), Feb. 9: Women go where men fear to tread ? or, at least, when force to.

For villagers of rural Arki and Tamar, undergoing a sterilisation operation makes them richer by Rs 200. It?s a considerable amount of money for the villagers which is why men of the village coaxed their women to set out for the first family welfare camp of the Tata Steel Rural Development Society (TSRDS) at the Arki block.

But that?s as far as the men dared to go. Money is one thing but when it comes to a test of masculinity, men shudder.

The first family welfare camp held recently saw a huge turnout of women with more than 62 registrations by 2 pm.

The central heath department scheme offering Rs 200 to those willing to undergo the operation was the temptation. Officials of the TSRDS said most villagers get sterilised for the money.

?Money is a big factor here. Those opting for a sterilisation receive Rs 200 cash. Rs 20 go to the operating doctor while Rs 20 and Rs 4 for the motivator and the assisting compounder. The government scheme is one of the main reasons for the rush. Here we pay the amount and the money is later refunded by the government,? said Abhishek Kale, an official.

One of the patients said, ?My husband said I would get Rs 200 for this operation. I was not keen at first but then he forced me to come along. When I asked my husband to undergo the same operation, he scolded me. I even had to go through a thrashing.?

V. Jagannath, head of the family initiative programme, said, ?Men are keeping a distance from the programme. The problem lies in the lack of awareness among them. They feel that they will not have a normal married life after the operation. We are trying to educate them by providing correct information.?

The officials said women were keen to know more about the sterilisation programme.

?They were more eager to learn than men. Slowly they have started to understand the importance of family planning. It is going to take some more time before all the women join the programme. Seeing the response, we are sure that this will happen soon?, said another official.

Though some women were aware, many found the camp conducted on February 5 a learning experience.

?I don?t have much information about this. My husband took me to this place. He wants the money for some work. The officials here told me that my family would be happier after this operation. This is the reason I have come here,? said Dayamani from Tamar.

Men, however, were firm on what they wanted ? not risking their manhood to a scalpel.

?I do not want to lose my masculinity. I have also heard that the man tends to grow weak after this operation. His life turns abnormal. But for women, it is no problem. Money is also a reason. I want to go to the capital to buy some scissors for my barbershop. I already have 3 children and do not want more?, said Soma Munda of Sonpur village.