The male responsibility

Sooner or later, almost everyone who is sexually active or plans to be in the near future will have to think about contraception. What is striking is that women deal with the topic much more frequently and more intensively than men. And not because they want to, but because they have to. Of the countless contraceptives on the market, the majority are intended for the female body, with many containing hormones. However, in recent years, many women have become increasingly sceptical about hormonal contraception, particularly due to the numerous side effects. (We discussed this in more detail in this article.) At the same time, the popularity of hormone-free contraceptive methods continues to grow. This raises the question of whether, in addition to the switch to hormone-free contraception, a further change would not be appropriate: that more contraceptives are developed for men, thus allowing men to at least share the responsibility for contraception.

When it comes to sexual health issues, Planning Familial is often the first point of contact for many. Contraception plays a crucial role at this women's health center for family planning and sex education. Alongside medical and psychological services, Planning Familial also provides sex education in schools and Maisons Relais to educate children, young people, and other interested individuals about contraception, sexually transmitted diseases, and pornography. Ainhoa Achutegui, as the president, is responsible for political work and representing the interests of the various aspects of Planning Familial. She firmly believes that contraception is undeniably a "women's issue" because, in biological terms, it is ultimately women who bear the consequences of fertilization. "It is incredibly important for women to have control over their own contraception and their own bodies, " explains Achutegui. "In the event of a pregnancy, women have to decide whether they want to carry it to term or not. From a feminist perspective, men have no say in the matter. It's about the woman's body; it's her decision." This may seem like a straightforward calculation in theory: since women bear the risk of pregnancy, they should take responsibility for contraception. However, this perspective is unfair. It is precisely this injustice that leads many, especially younger women, to advocate for more contraceptive options for men.