Free and universal access to contraception is “absolutely critical” to ensure we continue to move towards a gender-equal society, according to the National Women’s Council.
It comes after the UK made the contraceptive pill available over the counter for the first time in 60 years.
Two brands of ‘progesterone only’ pill will be available without subscription - although buyers still need a consultation with a pharmacist.
Other types of contraceptive pill still require prescription as they carry risks to smokers aged over 35 that potentially outweigh their benefits.
On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Alanna Ryan, Health Policy and Advocacy Officer at the National Women’s Council (NWI) said the UK is “light-years” ahead of Ireland on reproductive and sexual health.
“Contraception has been available free of charge on the NHS since the 1960s so, in Ireland when we’re talking about reducing barriers and broadening access, it is cost that is the real issue here and that is what we need to see progress on,” she said.
Contraception
She said the Programme for Government promises the introduction of free contraception beginning with the 17 to 25-year-old cohort.
“We need to see that as a priority because ultimately if we are talking about gender equality and if we are talking about giving women a role in society that is equal to men, it is absolutely critical they have control over their ability to plan if and when they might have children,” she said.
“Not being able to plan can lead to situations of crisis pregnancy which can then lead to abortion care and really, we should be doing everything we can to give women and girls the means to prevent those unintended pregnancies and to have a range of contraception available.
“The only way we can do that is by reducing the barrier of cost and introducing free universal access.”
Abortion legislation
Ms Ryan said it is “completely in the Government’s interest” to roll out free contraception, noting that the initial costs would be far offset by the benefits.
She said the three-year review of the abortion legislation which got underway in March offers Ireland a “window to think more broadly about reproductive and sexual health.”
“We need to consider how we can in Ireland ensure that all women are receiving their reproductive and sexual health rights in full,” she said.
“That does mean having access to free contraception so they can plan if and when they want to have children.”
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