On September 16th the third Global Female Condom Day (GFCD) took place. Sexual and reproductive health and rights advocates around the world called for increased global investment in female condoms based on widespread demand. Despite the effectiveness of female condoms and the public health need, many people cannot access them in their communities.
FC2's partners organized various activities to highlight this highly effective sexual health tool, the only HIV, sexually transmitted infection (STI) and pregnancy-prevention option that is woman initiated and currently available.
- Ghana
- Kenya
- Malawi
- Mozambique
- South-Africa
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
On Friday the 19th of September various activities were organized:
- Film shows on STIs and HIV.
- Competitions.
- Female Condom Demonstration.
- FC Azonto Dance for Demand.
- Prizes to win: a pack of female condoms and t-shirts.
SWAA Ghana is partnering with Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana, Queen Mother of James Town and Junior Common Room Executives Volta Hall of University of Ghana.
Kenya: "It’s Your Life, it's Your Future; use Female Condom"
Organizer: Muthaa Community Development Foundation (MCDF)
Venue: Starehe Grounds, Thika Town, and Kiambu County
Activities during the day of 16th September
- Demonstration and promotion of Female condoms
- Family planning services for free
- Cervical screening for free
- HIV testing and counselling
- Dance competition graced by students from various tertiary institutions and youth groups in Kiambu County.
- Speeches from guests of honour: the Governor and the First lady of Kiambu County
- Procession within Thika Town.
MCDF is partnering with Ministry of Health, Kiambu County and other stakeholders including Family Health options Kenya, Popluation Services Kenya, NACC, NASCOP, UNFPA, USAID (Aphia plus kamili) among others.
Malawi: Three national female condom days
Organizer: The Hunger Project Malawi (THP Malawi)
15th September
Live TV and Radio discussion ‘female condoms and male involvement’ on MBC/TVM. Panellists outlined the benefits that men experience with a female condom. Panellists were: two female condom experts (the Ministry of Health and The Hunger Project Malawi), a couple that has been using FC2 female condom for over five years.
16th September – Global Female Condom Day
- Round table discussion with Female Condom supply chain players. The aim of the discussion was to find solutions that will lead to a more efficient Female Condom supply chain.
- Introduction of Global Female Condom Day in the Breakfast show on MBC TV.
- Press release in Daily Times and Nation Newspaper, assessing the continued efforts of The Hunger Project in increasing demand and accessibility of female condoms.
- Female Condom radio jingles on various radio stations.
17th September
Female Condom Programming and Research conference 'Towards evidence based female condom programming'. Held in Malawi for the first time. The Minister of Health, Dr. Jean Kalilani, delivered a speech at the the official opening ceremony. The booklet 'Female Condom Programming Best Practices and Research' was presented. The booklet contains abstracts that were submitted after a 'call for best female condom practices' in the newspaper. The aim of the conference was to stimulate evidence based programmes, leading to the development of a national Female Condom programme in Malawi.
THP-Malawi is partnering with UNFPA, National AIDS Commission, Reproductive Health Directorate of the Ministry of Health, Family Planning Association of Malawi, YONECO, and Church & Society of The Livingstonia Synod, just to mention a few.
Mozambique: Female Condoms on Tour
Organizer: Pathfinder
Activities during the day of 16th September:
- Participation in TV programs to raise awareness about female condoms.
- Event with music, dance and theatre around female condoms with health services being offered in Maputo city.
- A "Female Condom van" moving around in the streets and markets of Maputo and Matola cities, passing female condom messages and activists will distribute FC2s.
- Health fair focused on female condoms in Chokwe (Gaza Province).
- Health fair focused on female condoms in Inhambane.
South Africa: Marching, Dancing & FC2 Female Condoms
Organizer: SUPPORT South Africa
Venue: Mtuba in Zululand District
Activities during the day of September 16th:
- "FC2 female condom Campaign & March" starting from the community hall to the taxi rank and market escorted by metro police. Participants are wearing female condom t-shirts and holding FC2 hand banners.
- Female condom demonstrations and handing FC2s to over to taxi drivers, market hawkers, saloon visitors nearby.
- Back in the community hall there will be FC2 dance & music.
SUPPORT South Africa is partnering with other NGOs, among others NAPWA (National Association of People living with HIV& AIDS), ZAZI, Ezisakwini Development Initiative (EDI).
Zambia: Global Female Condom Day as central theme in the national essay writing competitions
Organizer: Zambia Health Education and Communications Trust (ZHECT)
Since the 25th of August essay writing competitions were announced in radio advertisements, inviting tertiary students (Colleges and University) to submit essays about possible solutions to increase female condom use in Zambia. On September 16th, Global Female Condom Day, the prize winner has been awarded. This was covered by various mass media, including TV. The topic for the Essay writing competition was ‘Despite the availability of the female condom in Zambia, some women have continued to place themselves at risk of contracting STIs/HIV and pregnancies they are not prepared for. In your opinion, what is the solution to getting such women to start using the female condom and to stop placing themselves at risk?’ The competition could lead to possible new strategies to increase the use of female condoms in Zambia.
Zimbabwe: Media event FC2 female condom
From 17 – 19 September various FC2 female condom promotion activities took place.
