Local council of Diemen votes in favor of handing out free condoms to residents

A large majority of the local council has voted in favor of handing out free condoms to residents in Diemen. Only two council members voted against the motion, which was set up by the parties D66, GroenLinks, PvdA, and Ons Diemen. The plan is for condoms to be handed out in 2025 and 2026 in places where free menstrual products can currently be found, with the exception of primary schools.

The parties had handed in the motion ‘Do it right, do it safely!’ because they think action is needed to prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and “to promote sexual health.”

In the motion, they referred to research conducted by the health institute the RIVM in June 2023, which showed that the number of STDs among young people is increasing. The parties think that “preventing is better than curing, and prevention starts with awareness and availability of condoms.”

The free condoms must be accompanied by information about STDs and safe sex, such as a flyer or QR code. The parties also used the motion to ask the municipality to find out how it can encourage catering establishments, retirement homes, foundations, and associations to install condom vending machines.