By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Authorities in France will commence distribution of free condoms for people between the ages of 18 to 25 from January 1, 2023 in a bid to curb unwanted pregnancies and to reduce the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
“In pharmacies, condoms will be free for those aged 18 to 25 from January 1,” French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday.
Macron in a tweet also said that sexually transmitted diseases were rising among young people. “This is why we are embarking on a small prevention revolution,” Macron tweeted.
At the moment, condoms are reimbursed by the country’s healthcare system with a prescription from a doctor or a midwife, under measures aimed at reducing the spread of STDs including HIV.
According to the President, condoms for young people were based on other measures like free emergency contraception for all women and free screening without the need for a prescription for STDs other than HIV for people under 26 years of age.
On sexual education in general, he admitted that the country has not done enough. “We are not very good on this subject. The reality is very, very different from the theory. It’s an area where we need to much better educate our teachers.”
Earlier in the year, France began offering free birth control for all women under the age of 25, expanding an existing program for minors aimed at preventing unwanted pregnancies because of the cost of birth control.
According to the Ministry of Health, the age of 25 was determined because it was the age at which young women could no longer be covered by their parents’ health insurance.
