Today is the second Annual Global Female Condom Day. Pari Saikia says that the youth should unite to make it popular
When we are so sure and confident of using ‘slangs’ and think it’s cool to abuse in public sometimes then why is any discussion in regard to sex awareness in open still a taboo in IndiaIJ Especially, when it comes to involving women. Objectionable remarks, making lewd comments or eyeballing at her body features is normally acceptable in society rather than sitting and talking about sex awareness with the male counterpart.
Beginning with Mothers’ Day to Earth Day; Anti-terrorism Day to No tobacco Day; every possible thing on earth has a day to remember and commemorate. Well, one of such is the ‘Female Condom Day’, which many of us are not even aware about.
September 16 is the day dedicated to female condoms. last year thousands of individuals and nearly 200 organisations from 26 countries participated. Female condoms are powerful tools for protection and empowerment, but not many know of them. It is said that they are more popular among sex workers and the first public demo was initiated by a sex worker.
On September 12, 2012, the ‘Global Female Condom Day’ was welcomed by leading HIV/AIDS and reproductive health groups. Its first use can be traced back to 1980s. In India it got noticed only in 2003-2005, brought forth by Hindustan latex ltd. Their first-most test group were the sex workers which eventually turned out to be a great hit.
From time to time various methods of creating awareness have been released against birth control but one will rarely find the mention of female condom. Infamously known as femidom, this contraception has been in existence for more than 20 years and nearly10 years in India, but it has still failed to reach the wider section of Indian society. And those who know are least concerned to approve and accept it in their lives. Femidom can provide better safety to women and has fewer side affects. Odds like unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, such as HIV, STD etc can be carefully tackled with the help of femidom.
Sources reveal that the first-most reason behind its non-acceptance as compared to male condom is its high cost. Then comes the conservative views regarding sex, lack of discussion and ineffective communication between the old and new generation.
Ironically, three femidom cost Rs 100, whereas the price for a packet of regular male condom starts at Rs 10. Together all of us have to make this day popular and let more women know the relevance of this day and what it advocates.