31 August 2006
As we come to the end of the Women's Month (August), the Department of
Health has decided to allocate R38 million to increase the distribution of
female condoms this year as part of its efforts to accelerated HIV prevention
in the country.
This follows indications that there is increased acceptability of these
condoms amongst users. The number of female condoms distributed by government
has been rising steadily over the past few years and doubled from 1,3 million
in 2003 to 2,6 million in 2004. The target for this year is to increase
distribution to 3 million.
South African female condoms attracted a number of delegates at the 16th
International AIDS Conference held in Toronto, Canada earlier this month. The
South African government exhibition stand ran out of the 5 000 stock of female
condoms brought to Toronto to demonstrate the country's prevention
interventions. These condoms were popular amongst delegates because South
Africa is one of very few countries where these condoms are available.
The Department of Health is determined to put more resources in the
marketing and free distribution of female condoms although they are 36 times
more expensive than male condoms. The Department pays 22 cents a male condom
while female condoms cost R8 each. The costs are attributed to material and
manufacturing processes used to produce these condoms.
Our determination to address the gender dimension of HIV and AIDS requires
that we make deliberate efforts to empower women to protect themselves from HIV
infection and female condom is one of the tools the Department of Health is
making available in this regard.
It is important to emphasise that measures to prevent HIV requires
co-operation and mutual respect between partners for them to be effective.
Therefore, continued efforts to address the challenges of gender inequities in
our society remain critical in reducing vulnerability to HIV infection.
Enquiries:
Sibani Mngadi
Cell: 082 772 0161
Issued by: Department of Health
31 August 2006
