France to make birth control free for all women under 25

The new year has ushered in a new policy for French citizens that allows any woman under the age of 25 free access to birth control.

The radical move was announced in September and comes into effect from January 1.

The new year has ushered in a new policy for French citizens that allows any woman under the age of 25 free access to birth control.

Since 2013, contraception has been free for teenagers between 15 and 18 years old.

Then in August 2020, the policy was expanded to include under-15s.

Now, in what is a widening of the scheme, free birth control will be available for any females aged 24 and under.

The move was announced last September, set to kick in from January 21.

France’s Health Minister Olivier Veran announced the radical policy after government surveys found that young women were using contraceptives less frequently compared to other generations because of financial pressures.

The scheme is expected to cost the government 21 million euros ($32 million) and is a small part of the Macron administration’s initiative to boost women’s rights and alleviate youth poverty.

France’s Health Minister Olivier Veran announced the decision in September. Picture: Stephane De Sakutin/AFP

It’s part of a wider scheme from President Emmanuel Macron’s polices to empower women. Picture: Ludovic Marin/AFP

Mr Veran said the free perk included more expensive forms of birth control such as appointments with doctors, tests, or other medical procedures related to birth control.

“This will cover hormonal contraception, biological tests that go with it, the prescription of contraception and all care related to this contraception up until the age of 25,” he said at the time of the announcement back in September.

“There is a decline in the use of contraception among a certain number of young women and the main reason for this is financial.”

He added, “It costs too much. It is unacceptable that women cannot protect themselves, cannot have contraception if that’s their choice obviously, because they cannot afford it.”

The previous free contraceptive schemes for under-18s and then under-15s has led to a significant drop in abortion rates.

Abortions in France are free for all women and girls.

France is making birth control free for all women under 25.

The French government chose 25 as the cut off age because, like in Australia, that is when they are no longer covered by their parents’ health insurance.

Mr Veran said he also expected 25-year-olds to be more independent and able to afford contraception more easily.

Birth control is also free in Britain.

In Spain, women can get birth control pills at no cost and other types of contraception are subsidised by the government.

Contraception is not free in Australia.