Thai officials okay move to sell condoms in schools
In an effort to curb teenage pregnancy, condoms will now be available at vending machines in secondary schools in Thailand.
“We won’t argue if the machines are installed in schools where relevant parties and local communities believe they are needed,” Basic Education Commission secretary-general Kamol Rodklai said.
Authorities had previously rejected the condom sales on the grounds that it may encourage teen sexual activity, according to the Nation newspaper.
Thailand has some of the world’s highest teenage pregnancy rates, with 54 out of 1,000 girls between the ages of 15 and 19 giving birth each year, according to Public Health Ministry statistics.
The ministry warned that many more pregnancies are terminated in illegal abortion clinics, which are unsanitary and unsafe.
