Young people’s contraception rights ‘impeded’

Press, 19 May 1984, Page 25

Young people’s contraception rights ‘impeded’

NZPA-AAP London Teen-age pregnancies are increasing while laws requiring parental consent impede young people’s access to contraception, doctors have said in a report to International Family Planning Associations. Adolescents, defined as aged 10 and over, should have the right to privacy and confidentiality, the report said. A working group appointed by the International Planned Parenthood Federation drew up the report to promote the principle of family planning as a basic human right, the “Guardian” said.

The report's recommendations on contraceptives for adoiescents go beyond present I.P.F.F. policy and,

even if accepted, would not be binding on family planning associations in the 118 member States. “Several recommendations will be bound to raise controversy, not least within I.P.P.F. itself,” a federation spokesman said. The Family Planning Association said that most under-age girls seen at National Health Service clinics were 14 or 15.

“We support the Department of Health guidelines that the parents of girls or boys under 16 should be consulted in all but exceptional circumstances,” an F.P.A. spokesman said.

“The younger the girl, the more important it would be that the parents were involved."