Women are set to receive free contraceptives, with the cost being absorbed by the Canadian Government as part of a major law reform.
This will be the case for 9 million women in Canada of reproductive age. In the policy brief for this reform, leading sexual and reproductive health organisation Action Canada said this will have a great impact on the overall sexual health of women, as well as the process of family planning.
According to Better Health Victoria, contraception encompasses various methods that empower and enable individuals to prevent pregnancy and manage their reproductive choices from oral medications to surgical procedures.
Action Canada’s report on reproductive health found that implementing contraceptive practices is vital in reducing rates of unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions and births, and HIV transmission.
However, despite its importance, contraception remains a taboo topic in many societies and cultures today.
Chair of the Australian Women’s Health Alliance Bonney Corbin said “the stigma [around contraception] is a tool of the patriarchy used to prevent women's empowerment and reduce women’s choices”.
Most Australian women aged 18-49 years have used contraception at some point in their lives, with two in three Australian women now using a form of contraception, according to the Australian Government.
Long-lasting contraceptives such as intrauterine device implants usually cost patients about $230 AUD, excluding hospital fees.
Corbin said it is important to ensure all women have the ability to access and make use of contraceptive products.
“[Increasing access to contraception] would contribute to a boost in a whole lot of things. It would increase levels of women in the workforce, health outcomes and diversity in politics,” she said.
In the 2024-25 Australian budget, announced on May 14, $160 million is set to be targeted towards women’s health. This includes maternal, sexual and reproductive health.
“Hesitancy to invest in reproductive health was an issue of debate for previous generations but not for now and it is now reliant upon the political will of government to support free contraception,” Corbin said.
“We can keep pumping out legislation, and I won’t complain, they’re all good things, but we’re at a point where we need to see that translate to dollars."
Corbin said it is important to see the government invest money into sexual reproductive healthcare as a means of empowering individuals and strengthening communities.
Although women can access subsidies on contraceptives through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, only contraceptives containing levonorgestrel and norethisterone are available.
“Contraceptives are not a one-size-fits-all solution,” Corbin said. “So many types of contraception have been available in clinics for years now."
