By Brenda Zulu
There is need for more sensitization on the female
condom which is an empowerment tool for women. A Community based distributor based in Ndola rural Evelyn Chimbalanga said
the female condoms was not preferred by most women and has since not been
popular.
Having done demonstrations on how to use the female
condom, Ms Chimbalanga said it was surprising that the female condom was not a
preferred by women.
“My observation is that people are comfortable using
other family planning methods such that female condom in stock expire because
of low demand,” said Ms Chimbalanga.
While the response must clearly be strong
on prevention, treatment and care, Ms Chimbalanga said there was a need for women
to understand that the female condom was a viable option.
Meanwhile, Blessings Chipanda 30 years old who has
attended two female condom demonstrations at her local clinic in Lusaka and
Kasama said she had never used the female condom.
“It has just not crossed my mind that i should use
it,” she said.
Susan Mwape 27years old said the demonstration looked
very complicated and that she has used bangles that are on the edges of the
female condom.
“I have seen it being sold by my hair dresser at the
salon where i go and people buy and strip the female condom for bangles,” she
said.
Belita Phiri 42 years old who has used the female
condom says it was fine though she had to negotiate with the partner. She however bemoaned the fact that without a
lubricant the female condom made noises during
intercourse. In any case she was happy that the female condom provided
the responsibility to share the use of the condom with her partner.
“I used it and am happy it protected me from being
pregnant and from contracting sexually transmitted diseases including HIV. The
fact that i had it came in handy because there was nowhere to buy male condoms
at that late hour,” she said.
Pamela Musonda 38 years old said she had never used
it because it was too big.
“It takes
time for one to start inserting it while someone was waiting. It would
certainly spoil the moment for the man who is not very patient to wait while
there are other options,” she said.
Chanda Katongo 23 years old expressed ignorance and said she does not know anything
about the female condom.
“I have never used it. I don’t know it. I doubt if i
will ever use it,” said Katongo.
A man who did not want to be named said any serious
man would not want to encourage her woman to use the female condom because by
the time the woman wears it, men lose their erection.
He said while he has used it, a solution would be
for women to wear the female condom way in
advance of sexual intercourse so as not to interfere with the moment.
Matonge
Ngoma 55 said wife has never used it and that they have hardly used any condoms.
“I
am not a fun of condoms; they make me feel less human. Since they are designed to protect unwanted pregnancies, STI and HIV and
aids, it is a tool worthy using by women but with mutual consent with their
spouses and partners,” he advised.
Kulthum
Ally 35 years old observed that what sells at the pharmacy were male condoms
and not female condoms and that she was afraid to use the female condom because
it was too big.
Florence Gichoya 28 years old admitted only seeing the
female condoms in the magazine and not used them.
“I have not even thought of trying. More advertising
should be done for female condoms and should be cheaper and readily available
in clubs and hotels,” she said.
Nelly Chola 33years old said she has never seen the
female condom and that since she was alone she does not use any family planning
method.
Kutemba Musoka 26 years said she had seen it but have
never used it because she has never thought about it. She bemoaned the fact
that there was no sensitisation about the female condom in the country. It is
just not common when compared to the male condom.
Elijah Mwitwa 40
years old said the female condom was relatively
expensive and limited in availability.
He called on health organisations
to double up their efforts of advertising it just like they did for male
condom. He said it was
important that the accessibility of female condoms goes beyond the women
in Lusaka to cover the whole nation.
Prevention
Programme Coordinator for AIDS Healthcare Foundation Zanele Dlamini said women don’t like the condom because
it looks bulky.
She said
that many women were embarrassed to carry it and often gave an excuse that
their partner won't accept it.
“They
constantly argue that it is not practical to put a condom on 30min before use
because their partner can change their mind and they would have prepared for
nothing,” said Dlamini.
