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The female condom is a proven HIV and pregnancy prevention method. But in 2007, only 26 million female condoms were distributed worldwide - just one for every 100 women in Asia, Latin American and Africa between the ages of 15 and 49.
Myths, misconceptions and biases against the female condom have hindered international investment in and expanded access to this method, resulting in a high cost-per-unit price. To lower the price of the female condom, we need governments and donor agencies to make bulk purchases and to invest in the programs that can make this method more widely accessible.
What are the Facts? ![]()
- Female condoms are available now. This means that we can
immediately begin increasing people’s choices, and reducing
the numbers
of HIV infections, unintended pregnancies and related
adverse outcomes
of unprotected sex right away.
- Female condoms
can be inserted independently and well in advance of intercourse by a
woman seeking to protect herself from infection and unintended
pregnancy. They can reduce the rate of HIV transmission among women
having sex with an infected partner by more than 90 percent; are at
least as effective in reducing other sexually transmitted infections as
are male condoms; and can be used to avoid unintended pregnancy.
- Female
condoms have high rates of acceptability. Analysis of studies from 40
countries show that acceptability rates for female condoms range
between 37 and 93 percent of potential users.
- Studies
show that access to female condoms increases the rate of use of both
male and female condoms, increasing the rate of protected sex overall.
- Recent
cost analyses of the female condom show that increased access to female
condoms can lead to dramatic savings in both lives and in health care
costs in diverse country settings. [Read the Analysis here]
- Education
on partner communication and condom negotiation provided by female
condom training programs increases the ability of women and men to
discuss effective HIV prevention strategies and take steps to better
protect themselves.
- National governments,
bilateral aid agencies, and international donors can drive down the
price of the female condom and make it affordable by making bulk
purchases of this method, as is traditionally done with virtually every
reproductive and sexual health technology, including male condoms.
Women and men everywhere need more prevention options right now. The
time has come to remove barriers that have denied women and men access
to the female condom. The time has come to demand Prevention Now!
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