The Student Union of the University of Oulu demands free contraception for all those under the age of 25 in the wellbeing services county of North Ostrobothnia
The Student Union of the University of Oulu demands free contraception for all young people under the age of 25. Majority of 18-24-year-olds in the wellbeing services county of North Ostrobothnia (Pohde) are students. However, Pohde currently offers free contraception to only young people under the age of 20. With cuts to students’ income and increasing costs of living, the importance of free contraception in older age groups as well has become greater.
Free contraception can help prevent high costs for the wellbeing services counties resulting from abortions and sexually transmitted diseases. According to Frida Gyllenberg’s doctoral research, offering free long-acting contraception to those under 25 was beneficial from the perspective of cost-effectiveness. “Free contraception provides all young people in the county a chance to plan their future”, Vice Chair of OYY Board Vilma Sippola notes.
Most wellbeing services counties already offer free contraception to those under the age of 25. Only five out of 21 wellbeing services counties have not made free contraception available for 20-24-year-olds. However, according to THL’s induced abortion statistics, most abortions occur within the age group of 20-24-year-olds (THL Statistical report 27/2024). According to Gyllenberg’s doctoral research, the amount of abortions within that age group decreased by 14% after free contraception became available.
As the county elections are approaching, it is vital to include the county’s students and young people in programme work if we wish to have them remain in the region. Thus, the Student Union urges the county’s decision makers to follow the example set by most wellbeing services counties and start offering free contraception to 20-24-year-olds as well.
Additional information:
Vilma Sippola
Vice Chair of the Board
References:
Gyllenberg, Frida 2020: Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Free of Charge: Initiations, User Characteristics, and Induced Abortions. University of Helsinki.
THL Statistical report 27/2024. Induced abortions 2023. https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2024060342461