A report highlights that the Latvian government limits contraceptive support to individuals under 19 who have given birth or had a pregnancy terminated, raising concerns about inadequate access for young women.
The article discusses the current limitations of state-funded contraceptive services in Latvia, emphasizing the troubling fact that only young mothers under the age of 19 or those who have had a pregnancy terminated can receive support. This was highlighted by Anna Miskova, a midwife at the Riga Maternity Hospital, who noted that many of the youngest mothers she encountered were only 14 years old, frequently discovering their pregnancies late due to a lack of awareness and maturity among the adolescents.
Miskova expresses concern over the profound implications of such policies, pointing out that only after experiencing childbirth or undergoing an abortion can young girls access contraceptive support. This reality is seen as an inadequate response to the needs of at-risk youth, contrasting sharply with options available in neighboring countries like Estonia, where free contraception is accessible through youth centers. The article questions the effectiveness of the current health policies in safeguarding the reproductive health of young women in Latvia.
The piece advocates for an expansion of government support for contraceptive access to ensure that all young women, regardless of their experiences with pregnancy, can have the necessary resources to make informed choices regarding their reproductive health. The push for change emphasizes the need for more comprehensive public health strategies that actively involve young people and consider their specific needs.
