France will make condoms free in pharmacies for anyone up to 25 years old in the new year, President Emmanuel Macron says.
Key points:
Women and girls 25 and under already have access to free birth controlMr Macron said the free condoms would also be accessible for minorsIn France, sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise among young people
The move comes as the government says sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise among young people, and as this year’s exceptional inflation is cutting especially deeply into the budgets of France’s poorest people.
Girls and women 25 and under already can get free birth control in France as part of government efforts to ensure that young people of all incomes can prevent unwanted pregnancy.
Existing measures don’t apply to men, however, or specifically address access for transgender or non-binary people.
Mr Macron initially said condoms would be free in pharmacies for anyone 18-25 starting January 1.
But after a French TV presenter and others challenged him on social networks over why the condom measure did not include minors, the president agreed to expand the program.
Emmanuel Macron has also promised to step up efforts to prevent and test for HIV and other STIs.(AP: Denis Balibouse, file)
“Let’s do it,” Mr Macron said in a selfie video that he shot from the sidelines of a summit in Spain.
He later tweeted: “A lot of minors also have sex … they need to protect themselves too.”
Mr Macron, who was France’s youngest-ever president when he was first elected in 2017 at age 39, also promised stepped-up efforts to prevent and test for HIV and other sexually transmitted viruses.
France’s state health system covers some birth control costs but not all, and doctor appointments for low-income patients often require long waits.
Abortions in France are available free for everyone.
Several other European countries offer free or subsidised contraception.
AP
Discovered on: 2022-12-10 02:11:58
Source: France to make condoms free for anyone 25 and under in fight against sexual…
