Education As A Vaccine Advocates For Use Of Female Condoms

By  Prudence Ijah 
In a bid to reduce the spread of Sexually Transmitted Infections and unwanted pregnancies among women, an NGO, Education as Vaccine has reinstated the need for improved uptake and utilization of female condoms in the country.

Speaking on Saturday in Abuja during a road walk to commemorate Global Female condom day, the program manager, Education as Vaccine Enobong Ekwere said Education As a Vaccine is carrying out the campaign to help women have safer sex and know that they can wear the female condom eight hours before sexual activity and still be comfortable. 
In her words, “what people should do with female condom is to check for the expiry date of the condom before usage and dispose properly thereafter.” 
“Education as a vaccine which is a youth centered organization is carrying out this awareness among the youth to prevent and reduce contraction of STI and HIV” She said. 
On the benefits of using the female condom, Kosi Izundu Program officer, Reproductive Health and Family Planning, Pathfinder International said  the female condom is one size fits all, it is made up of natural polyma and it ensures dual protection as it helps  women to negotiate safer sex. 
Izundu said “this year we decided to partner with Education as Vaccine to commemorate this day by having a road walk and also disseminating information on the existence of female condoms and the need for women to use female condoms”. 
“We are also sharing female condom to commemorate this day. Female condom is part of the essential medicines list although the government does not prioritize it. So we are working to ensure it is captured in sexual and reproductive health services” 
Izundu further urged government at all levels to prioritize procurement of female condoms and distribution to the populace by increasing its availability in government facilities. 
Global Female condom day is commemorated every 16th September to create awareness on the need for women to take charge of their sexual reproductive health and to utilize female condom towards improved sexual satisfaction. 
During the walk, women within reproductive age were advised  to take responsibility of their sexual reproductive health and use female condoms regularly. 
Activities to commemorate the Global female condom day cut accross health talk, a walk and distribution of female condom to some residents of the Federal capital territory.