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Condom drive targets Indian women | Condom drive targets Indian women |
(about 14 hours later) | |
Female sex workers in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu are to get 60,000 condoms as part of a government sponsored Aids prevention initiative. | Female sex workers in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu are to get 60,000 condoms as part of a government sponsored Aids prevention initiative. |
The programme is a collaboration between a local Aids control authority and a national family planning trust. | The programme is a collaboration between a local Aids control authority and a national family planning trust. |
At least seven other Indian states have also been lined up to be part of this four month long campaign. | At least seven other Indian states have also been lined up to be part of this four month long campaign. |
The programme is likely to reach out to over 11,000 women among the vulnerable population across the country. | The programme is likely to reach out to over 11,000 women among the vulnerable population across the country. |
The condoms will be both male and female versions. | |
Tamil Nadu Health Secretary VK Kuppuraj described the program as a "major advance in the effort to reduce women's vulnerability to HIV/Aids in Tamil Nadu". | Tamil Nadu Health Secretary VK Kuppuraj described the program as a "major advance in the effort to reduce women's vulnerability to HIV/Aids in Tamil Nadu". |
The initiative was launched as a partnership between Tamil Nadu State Aids Control Society (Tansacs) and Hindustan Latex Family Planning Promotion Trust (HLFPPT). | The initiative was launched as a partnership between Tamil Nadu State Aids Control Society (Tansacs) and Hindustan Latex Family Planning Promotion Trust (HLFPPT). |
Tansacs Project Director Supriya Sahu said that condoms for females have for the first time provided them with a personal choice over their reproductive rights. | Tansacs Project Director Supriya Sahu said that condoms for females have for the first time provided them with a personal choice over their reproductive rights. |
The female condom was put on sale earlier in the state by a few companies, but it was not a success. | The female condom was put on sale earlier in the state by a few companies, but it was not a success. |
The protection is a polyurethane sheath or pouch that lines the vagina and helps to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases including HIV and Aids. | The protection is a polyurethane sheath or pouch that lines the vagina and helps to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases including HIV and Aids. |
'Tremendous boon' | 'Tremendous boon' |
High pricing was cited as the main barrier for condoms for women. Some of them go for as much as 100 Rupees ($2) or more. | High pricing was cited as the main barrier for condoms for women. Some of them go for as much as 100 Rupees ($2) or more. |
Similar products for males are available for as little as one Rupee (two cents) per piece. | Similar products for males are available for as little as one Rupee (two cents) per piece. |
The prohibitive price of female condoms has complicated matters | The prohibitive price of female condoms has complicated matters |
To overcome this problem, the TANSACS had procured 60,000 condoms for women at the cost of 180,000 Rupees ($4,000). | To overcome this problem, the TANSACS had procured 60,000 condoms for women at the cost of 180,000 Rupees ($4,000). |
"Though the actual price is 50 Rupees ($1) per piece, we have obtained it at a price of three Rupees (seven cents) per piece," Ms Sahu explained. | "Though the actual price is 50 Rupees ($1) per piece, we have obtained it at a price of three Rupees (seven cents) per piece," Ms Sahu explained. |
The HLFPPT's National Programme Manager, Kavitha Potturi, said that the female condom programme was an effort to provide women with greater control over their reproductive health. | The HLFPPT's National Programme Manager, Kavitha Potturi, said that the female condom programme was an effort to provide women with greater control over their reproductive health. |
Dr Lakshmi Bai, the head of a local community group working among 50,000 sex workers in the state, said female condoms are the most effective protective weapon for commercial workers who face vulnerable situations on a daily basis. | Dr Lakshmi Bai, the head of a local community group working among 50,000 sex workers in the state, said female condoms are the most effective protective weapon for commercial workers who face vulnerable situations on a daily basis. |
"If we succeed in introducing the female condom among women in sex work, it will be a tremendous boon for them," she said. | "If we succeed in introducing the female condom among women in sex work, it will be a tremendous boon for them," she said. |
"Today they are faced with daily challenges of violence and the consequent inability to negotiate safe sex with men, who quite often refuse to wear a condom. | "Today they are faced with daily challenges of violence and the consequent inability to negotiate safe sex with men, who quite often refuse to wear a condom. |
"In such situations, women's condoms will be the best possible preventive tools for the commercial sex workers," she said. | "In such situations, women's condoms will be the best possible preventive tools for the commercial sex workers," she said. |
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