Free contraceptives to everyone under the age of 25
Commitment description:Finland will strive to improve the universal availability of quality, affordable and safe modern contraceptives, particularly for adolescents and youth under 25 years, as part of the UHC, and in combination of comprehensive and age-appropriate information, education and adolescent-friendly comprehensive, quality and timely services.
In order to do so, Finland commits itself in carrying out a national experiment on free contraceptives to everyone under the age of 25 and examining if this could be made a permanent practice after 2023. The experiment will provide necessary data and evidence for decision making at national and municipal level.
We have seen in Finland how important it is that comprehensive sexuality education and youth friendly services exist. In addition to accurate information, the availability of contraceptives is essential.
The current National Action Programme (NAP) for the Promotion of Sexual and Reproductive Health 2014-2020 already includes an action for municipalities or joint municipal authorities to offer cost-free contraception to clients under 20 years, as per their choice.
Maintaining the present good level of sexual and reproductive health requires the continuation of long-term commitment and openness to sexual and reproductive health and rights as well as to related efforts.
Investing in young people today is one of the most cost-effective and influential ways to promote sexual and reproductive health and rights, also for the health and wellbeing of the future generations.
Mode of engagement:
- Programmatic actionFinland will strive to improve the universal availability of quality, affordable and safe modern contraceptives, particularly for adolescents and youth under 25 years, as part of the UHC
Achieve universal access to sexual and reproductive health as a part of universal health coverage (UHC)(4) Access for all adolescents and youth, especially girls, to comprehensive and age-responsive information, education and adolescent-friendly comprehensive, quality and timely services to be able to make free and informed decisions and choices about their sexuality and reproductive lives, to adequately protect themselves from unintended pregnancies, all forms of sexual and gender-based violence and harmful practices, sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS, to facilitate a safe transition into adulthood.
