Overdue. Why contraception is also a "man's issue"
Monday 13th May - 02:00 to 02:50 PM
Presentation language: German
This event will take place online.
For having children, at least two people are involved. However, contraception is predominantly seen as 'women's business' worldwide, along with all the associated costs and side effects that methods like the Pill bring. A 'male pill' represents perhaps the greatest market gap of the 21st century - haven't we progressed both socially and technologically?
In her recent book "Overdue. Why Contraception is also Men's Business," Franka Frei explores contraceptive justice in relation to global inequalities, environmental issues, and gender-specific discrimination – with surprising findings. More and more men are not only willing to take responsibility for contraception but are already doing so with previously unknown methods. The discussion will delve into the history and future of contraception, and how contraceptive justice can be realized in concrete terms. Spoiler: The market won't solve this on its own.
About this person
Franka Frei, born in Cologne in 1995 and raised in Salzburg, Austria, is a journalist, activist, and author. Since completing her bachelor's degree in Applied Media and the sudden viral success of her thesis, she has been known as a menstrual activist, sometimes appearing in the media accompanied by a human-sized tampon costume, advocating for sexual health and reproductive rights.
In 2019, her popular science book "Periode ist politisch. Ein Manifest gegen das Menstruationstabu" was published (released in 2020 by Heyne Hardcore). In March 2021, her debut novel "Krötensex" was released by Heyne, followed by the popular science book "Überfällig. Warum Verhütung auch Männersache ist" by Goldmann Verlag in 2023.
In addition to her work as a speaker in Germany and abroad, Franka Frei works as a freelance journalist. Her contributions appear, among others, on Deutschlandfunk Kultur, Funk, WDR Cosmo, 1 Live, and Neues Deutschland. Further audio, print, and video interviews with Franka Frei can be found in media outlets such as Deutschlandfunk, Tagesspiegel, Zeit Online, Zeit Campus, zett, rnd, Neon, and Stern, as well as various TV media. Since 2021, Franka Frei has been hosting the podcast "Tabufrei" in cooperation with Essity.
Franka Frei is studying Gender Studies at Humboldt University in Berlin (M.A.) and works alongside the Berlin-based association "Periodensystem e.V." to combat period poverty. Since 2023, she has been a founding member and German spokesperson for the "European Network for Shared Contraception," aiming to negotiate contraception issues in a gender- and environmentally-friendly manner, and she works as a political advisor.