Everything has to be paid privately – access to contraception in Austria is extremely poor

The Contraception Atlas aims to show which countries have the best access to contraceptives, contraceptive advice and online education. Because 35 percent of pregnancies in Europe are unwanted, Leonidas Galeridis of the European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights, which compiles the list, said during the presentation in Vienna.

Modern birth control reduces abortions
To reduce the number of abortions, modern contraception is an important measure. Just over half, 57 percent, of women in Europe would use contraception. And only 20 of the 46 countries surveyed have integrated contraception into their healthcare systems. This is not the case in Austria. In this country, contraception is a private matter, said SPÖ national councilor Petra Bayr, who also chairs the European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights. In France, all young people under 26 receive free condoms.

Great Britain achieved a value of 96.9 percent in the Atlas of Antiception, France 93.2 percent and Belgium 91.1 percent. A negative example is Poland with 33.5 percent. The country came last, followed by Bosnia and Herzegovina with 39 percent and Hungary with 40 percent.

Even advice has to be paid privately
“Of the western, northern countries in Europe, we are the worst,” said Bayr. “And that’s because of a very mixed situation.” In terms of online information on the subject, Austria is among the best, says Bayr. The state would provide a proper website with full information, explained NEOS MP Fiona Fiedler. The offer is available in various languages ​​and access is also barrier-free.

The situation is different when it comes to access to advice. According to Fiedler, these would mainly be the responsibility of gynecologists and the costs would only be reimbursed up to the age of 18. “Then it’s a private service,” Fiedler said. And that is not affordable for everyone, certainly not for young people and people with a low income.

“Access has been very bad for years”
“In terms of access to contraceptives, we’re really bad, really bad and we’ve been for years,” Bayr said. The issue of contraception is not implemented in the Austrian health system. There is no public support whatsoever. While the contraceptives are widely available, access requires a private service, Bayr criticized.

“There is no nationwide, state-funded support offer,” the SPÖ deputy complained. There are only occasional exceptions when contraception is medically indicated, such as with endometriosis. Therefore, the question of the choice of contraceptive is based on costs. According to Bayr, half of couples would use other contraceptives if they were funded. According to MEPs, there are few state-funded advice centers in Austria, only in Salzburg, Vienna, Graz and Carinthia.

Education of young people is essential
According to youth sex educator Dorith Nopper, sex education for young people is also essential here. Since 1970, sexuality in the classroom has been demanded to be treated in a comprehensive and qualitative manner. Yet there is still no education in schools, even though there is a great need and interest for it, says Nopper.

“More of what is good and provide where there is lack,” is the summary of the speakers’ demands, said Green MP Faika El-Nagashi. Low-threshold access to contraceptives should be free, and for all ages. In addition, the range of family counseling centers should be further expanded, as they are currently not available in every state. Both pregnancy and contraceptive advice can be given there. In addition, the issue of contraception must be structurally integrated into health care. Furthermore, El-Nagashi called for sex education to be enshrined in schools.