In an effort by the authorities to reduce the spread of STIs (sexually transmitted infections) in France, on the rise in recent years, young people are starting to obtain condoms distributed free of charge in pharmacies across the country.
Health officials cited the rise in illnesses as justification for implementing the new law — the number of STIs grew by about 30% from 2020 to 2021 in France. When announcing the gratuity, the French president, Emmanuel Macron, stated that the sexual health of young people in the country is a “real problem” and defended the training of more teachers and specialists in the subject to raise awareness of the population.
“[A distribuição dos preservativos] it’s a small revolution,” Macron said in August, adding that the reality of sex education in France was “very far from theory”.
The new law came into force on Sunday (1st) and applies to young people under 26 years old. The measure is already adopted in several other countries. In Brazil, condoms have been distributed free of charge to the population, with no age restriction, since 1994.
In addition to distributing condoms, the French government facilitated access to emergency contraceptives for women. Before, the morning after pill was distributed free of charge and without the requirement of a medical prescription only to minors in pharmacies in the country – now, access has been expanded to all women.
The changes come at a time when women’s rights are being discussed in the French Parliament. In November, the National Assembly of France approved a bill that fixes the right to abortion in the Constitution. In the European country, women today can undergo the procedure up to the 14th week of pregnancy, but the rule is not in the Magna Carta.
In the vote, lawmakers made direct mention of the June decision of the US Supreme Court that reversed an opinion of almost five decades of the court, suspending the right at the national level. In practice, the change allowed states to pass laws against the voluntary termination of pregnancy.
The fear on the part of French legislators is that the country’s Justice takes a similar decision; the insertion of the subject in the Constitution would inhibit this eventual movement
With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
