Woman call for access to female condoms
JOBURG - THE UNIVERSITY of Witwatersrand joined advocates, activists and members of the medical profession from around the world to participate in the third annual Global Female Condom Day on 16 September, .
The day is aimed at education and advocacy and is dedicated to increasing awareness, accessibility, and use of female condoms worldwide. This year, Wits joined a Dance4Demand campaign to show the world that people want access to female condoms.
Celebrated South African poet, Lebo Mashile, was also there, and had strong words on the role of women in sex.
She said, “It’s your cake, you choose who gets to eat it.”
According to her, female condoms are an empowerment tool which give women a voice in sexual relationships.
“You get to choose what to do with your body, not a man,” she said.
Mashile’s sentiments that progressive sexual health was needed to ensure a decrease in sexually transmitted diseases and the prevention of HIV and Aids.
“This co-ordinated day of international action shines a light on a highly effective but little-known safer sex option,” said Beatrijs Janssen, communications officer with the Universal Access to Female Condoms (UAFC) Joint Programme.
The female condom is the only prevention option against HIV, sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy that is woman-initiated and currently available. Yet awareness and availability of female condoms are still poor in most parts of the world. According to the United Nations Population Fund, only one female condom is available for every 36 women worldwide.
“We can help make female condoms more widely available by advancing gender equality in prevention efforts,” said the Center for Health and Gender Equity president, Serra Sippel.
The barrier device can also be used by receptive partners of both sexes, and can be used anally.
The condom can also be inserted hours before use, and helps to ensure there is an added safety barrier in cases where judgement is skewed.
