On October 12th the budget for 2022 was released, with the Minister for Health promising millions of euros worth of investments into the healthcare sector. Among his list of promises was free contraception for women. That’s cause for celebration, right? It is until you look at the fine print.
As laid out in the official documents by the Government, the plan is to offer women from 17-25 years of age free contraception. In theory, this is a great idea, because as we have seen, especially in colleges that condoms are available free of cost. We welcome, of course, free condoms, but there is a much bigger issue at hand when it comes to contraception.
The history of contraception in Ireland is a tumultuous one. It’s a given that contraception was a taboo topic given the hold the Catholic church had on the state. Contraception was illegal in Ireland from 1935 to 1979, although families were obtaining it, claiming women required it as a ‘cycle regulator’, which was its main use at the time. The Catholic church had such a hold on Ireland that many doctors would not prescribe women the pill, even when the Family Planning Act came into play in 1979 when it was insinuated the pill was mainly for married couples.
The use of the contraceptive pill by single women was frowned upon because it implied that these women were having sex but also planning for it. Going to a doctor was a risk, if you knew the doctor you were visiting was a sympathetic one you would be okay, but not all doctors were so willing to give women the contraceptive pill.
Taking a break from the history of contraception, I want to let you know that this news is good news!
For years women have been forced to pay for contraception, while it is much easier to obtain free condoms. Usually, condoms can be ordered from College Student Unions, but there has never been a mention of the same for women. Given the broad spectrum of contraception available to women now (the patch, bar, pill, IUD, etc) and the adverse side effects that go hand in hand with these, it makes sense that women are not likely to stick with the first option they try.
Side effects such as weight gain, mood swings and even health effects have been reported. All of this experimentation of various options comes with a cost. The pill, for example, costs between €5 and €8 per pack, and a consultation for a 6-month pack costs €60, with repeat consultations costing €45. Who has this money to be spending each month, or every 6 months?
While I can certainly see the benefits of free contraception being rolled out, we have to recognise that this solution is far from perfect. Women have campaigned for years to access free contraception, but the Government must do better.
One of the biggest things that’s wrong with this is who it’s being offered to.
Yes, women are being offered free contraception, but only women between the ages of 17 & 25. Do the Government think women stop having sex after 25? In order for this initiative to function correctly, it must be offered to women of all ages, not just from 17-25.
While I was writing this, I spoke with a woman who recently moved to England, to compare Ireland and Englands approach to contraception. Speaking anonymously to me, she described her experience getting birth control in both Ireland and England.
In an interview this week, she revealed how much simpler the process is in England. ‘You don’t have to go to your doctor, there are sexual health clinics that you can visit.’
The British have a very positive outlook towards sex and contraception, something Ireland is still sorely lacking.
‘I felt very judged in Ireland, almost as if it was a sin, getting birth control. England was much more positive and welcoming, and they discussed all my options with me.’
When it came to delivery and cost, my source revealed not only is contraception free in England, but she was able to pick it up the same day, or have her prescription delivered to her door.
Overall, we can see Ireland is still way behind in the times when it comes to contraception. While it’s amazing to see some change finally happening, we have to remember it is not enough. Women of all ages need free contraception, not just younger women.