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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 mattersThe 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.