The town of Diemen, on the edge of Amsterdam, is to hand out free condoms in an effort to combat the rise in sexually transmitted diseases among youngsters.

A majority of council members supported the motion from D66, GroenLinks and local party Ons Diemen. The measure will come into effect in 2025 and 2026. The condoms will be handed out in designated places, where girls can also get free menstrual products.

The parties referred to figures from national health institute RIVM which point to an increase in sexually transmitted diseases, gonorrhea in particular.

The provision of the condoms is accompanied by a campaign, dubbed “Do it well, do it safe” aimed at informing youngsters about STDs and their consequences.