Campaigners have declared that the female condom’s reputation is not what it should be, although it can be just as effective against preventing HIV transmission. Serra Sippel, president of the Centre of Health and Gender Equity in Washington, told journalists that women shouldn’t be asking to protect their own lives, they should be able to take action themselves.

Some 2008 figures revealed that while 2.4 billion male condoms were being distributed, only 1.8 million female condoms were handed out. In sub-Saharan Africa, up to 60% of males are HIV positive and only one in approximately 300 women have access to female condoms.

The female condom has been around for 15 years, but it is usually joked about. Also, there is only one model available, while shops stock many different male condoms. Lucie van Mens from Universal Access to Female Condoms said that it is time for businesses to create and market female condoms in such a way that there is one that suits every women.

Another problem is the cost of the female condom. A Zambian women, and member of the Community Initiative for TB, HIV/AIDS and Malaria, reported that male condoms cost up to 50 times less than female condoms. The public still knows very little about the female condom. It is better accepted as a means of contraception and even a sex toy, rather than a tool to protect women and men alike from HIV and AIDS. Van Mens said that is important to also give women, and not only men, the opportunity to have fun with sex.

Female condoms have many advantages – they are stronger than male condoms, they can be inserted up to eight hours before sexual intercourse, they are more lubricated and they are made from polyurethane, which means that it can be used with an oil-based lubricant. Women feel that they have more control when using female condoms, but there is still a risk involved to contract HIV if used incorrectly.

The condom is pouch shaped and the same length, but slightly wider than the male condom. It has two plastic rings, a loose one at the closed end to make insertion easier, and another that remains outside the vagina and covers the outside genitalia. Another bonus of the female condom is that it provides protection during menstruation. Extra protection against HIV and STDs is almost guaranteed when used correctly because it covers both the vagina and the penis where these diseases travel to and from.

The female condom is not meant to replace the male condom; it just gives women more freedom and control. Studies have revealed that when women are given access to both male and female condoms, the risk of contracting a disease can be reduced to up to 34%.

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