'Women Shun Female Condoms,' Says Aid Group
In the 2022-2023 fiscal year, AHF distributed over 500,000 condoms in the Sorgin area.
Nsanje, Malawi - AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has expressed concern that women are avoiding female condoms in favor of male condoms, leading to underuse of female condoms, said Jacob Pidini, AHF's prevention officer for the Southern Region, writes Cornelius Lupenga.
"It is unfortunate that most women are on the forefront demanding for the male condoms than their condoms," Pidini said Monday during an event for International Condom Day at Sorgin Trading Centre in Nsanje.
Pidini said it's worrisome to see women demanding male condoms whenever they visit hospitals, fueling waste of female condoms that just sit unused in health facilities.
A sex worker at Sorgin Trading Centre who requested anonymity said more civic education is needed on using female condoms.
She said it's disappointing that groceries in her area only stock male condoms, which are in higher demand.
"This also fuels the negative perception of using the female condoms," she said.
The sex worker urged non-governmental organizations and the government to conduct more awareness campaigns about female condoms.
In the 2022-2023 fiscal year, AHF distributed over 500,000 condoms in the Sorgin area.