Female Condoms Project

The project seeks to increase access to the female condom in the country by establishing distribution sites which could educate and train both men and women in the proper use and advantages of the female condom.

Strategies used to promote the condom included community sensitisation workshops. A training of trainers approach was adopted so that they could serve as master trainers in the regions and thereby increase project capacity at a local level. Selected journalists were trained to increase reporting of HIV/AIDS and the female condom in both the print and electronic media. Puppetry, drama, video shows, posters and leaflets were also developed to raise awareness of the female condom and educate end-users in its proper use.

The project targeted 20% male involvement in all activities, recognising the need for the tactical involvement of men, as well as to ensure a fair gender representation. It archived over 40% male involvement and men felt comfortable purchasing the female condom at advocacy meetings and training workshops.

Women, HIV/AIDS, Gender.

The project objectives are to:

• train men and women in female condom usage.
• increase patronage of female condoms among men and women
• provide counselling services in the five districts
• provide medical care and support for lower-income women living with HIV/AIDS
• provide income-generating activities for healthy females living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).

At the outset of the project a baseline study was implemented to assess the Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) relating to the use of the female condom in five regions. Two hundred men and women from each region participated in focus group discussions which were subdivided into groups of young and elderly males and young and elderly women. 250 women from the same communities took part in in-depth interviews. In dividing the groups along gender lines, it was possible to identify the different issues and obstacles around female condom use. The data collected was important in shaping strategies and messages for the project.

The baseline study indicated that 96% of respondents were aware of HIV/AIDS as well as modes of transmission. Personal risk perception was also high at 78%. However, only 16% of people interviewed claimed they had ever used a female condom, although the majority was aware of its existence. Advantages of the female condom were also largely unknown to most of the respondents. Issues of mistrust and infidelity were also identified by the study; many men feared that the use of the female condom by their partners would promote promiscuity.