Global female condom day recognised

This according to WITS medical student, Sihle Thango, in light of Global Female Condom Day on 16 September.

The female condom is the only HIV-, sexually transmitted infection- and pregnancy-prevention option that is woman-initiated and currently available.

Despite the effectiveness of female condoms, having interviewed a few women, it would seem women are more comfortable with men wearing the protective gear.

Thango said even as a medical student, she didn’t personally know anyone who has used a female condom, and said one of the reasons was that they were not as accessible as male condoms.

Rosebank shopper, Carol Ceecee Phakade, agreed, saying it was easier to access male condoms.

“I’ve only ever seen women’s condoms once in my life. I feel like they are not as accessible as male condoms – I’ve never seen them in Clicks or petrol stations, even though male condoms are everywhere,” she said.

Killarney resident, Tshepiso Moloi, said she had never used one because they didn’t look ‘user friendly’.

“I have friends that are comfortable with them, but I just don’t find them practical. I empower myself by buying condoms for my partner instead, and have made it clear that there will be no sex if he does not use one,” she said.

A Hyde Park shopper who asked not to be named, said she had used a female condom once and said she believed it was better than male condoms.

“The funny thing about it is that the guy was the one who had brought it. However, since then I have never seen one, not even in stores,” she said.

“They’re not properly advertised. I think most women don’t even know how they look or how they’re meant to be used. I also don’t believe the woman should take charge of the condom situation – does a chicken bring its own spices when its about to get slaughtered?”