We have been talking about sexuality, contraception and pregnancy for 60 years. The HUG Sexual Health and Family Planning Unit is celebrating six decades of existence this year. The place offers free and confidential consultations on sexuality.
Created in 1965, family planning was the first non-medical sexual health center in Switzerland. Angela Walder-Lamas is a Sexual Health Advisor there. It recalls in what context the unit was created.
“At the start, the goal was to fight against abortion. We thought there were going to be a lot of married or at least engaged couples who were going to come and be able to learn about contraception. And ultimately, the target wasn’t really where we thought it was going to be.”
If its mission at the time was to reduce the number of abortions, the unit was able to adapt to changes in society. What are people seeking advice today?
The response from Doctor Sara Arserver, Physician Head of the Sexual Health and Family Planning Unit at HUG.
“The meetings revolve a lot around reproductive health anyway. And during the interviews it’s really all sexual health that comes out.”
Today the right to abortion is threatened, particularly in the United States, where it has even become banned in certain states. Are these threats also current here?
With 5 abortions per 1,000 women per year, Switzerland ranks at the top of the countries with the lowest abortion rate, in international comparison. While our system does not facilitate access to contraception, according to Doctor Sara Arsever.
