IRIN PlusNews

"National Condom Week kicked off in South Africa with an announcement that the government had distributed one million female condoms at 200 sites last year. Compared to the 220-million free male condoms distributed in the same period, this number seems like a drop in the ocean, but interest in the female condom (FC) is growing, reproductive health researchers told PlusNews."

The female condom is available for free at places which are part of a project between the Reproductive Health Research Unit, the Planned Parenthood Association of South Africa and the health department. According to Marketing Manager, David Nowitz "selected pharmacies are now selling the FC under the brand name Care, at under R5 (US $0.5) for two. This is less than half of what it would cost, so we are trying to make it affordable to everyone." He also states that "it has proved popular and is used more regularly by older women in stable relationships, as they are able to better negotiate its use." Advertising campaigns are targeting urban females aged between 24 and 30.

"Many HIV/AIDS advocacy groups see the female condom as a significant new alternative that women can use to better protect themselves against infection." Mmabatho Mqhayi from the Reproductive Health Research Unit states "the female condom should not, however, be seen as a replacement for the male condom. It should rather increase [condom use] or fill in the gap."

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IRIN Plus News. PlusNews is produced under the banner of RHAIN, the Southern African Regional HIV/AIDS Information Network.