[F11717] Strategies for mobilizing global resources to increase access to the female condom

14th International AIDS Conference

Barcelona, Spain — July 7-12, 2002

[TITLE:] Strategies for mobilizing global resources to increase access to the female condom

[AUTHOR(S):] S.J. Albrecht, J.L. Jacobson¹

Int Conf AIDS. 2002 Jul 7-12;14:Abstract No. F11717

ISSUES: The female condom is the only method of HIV prevention that can be initiated and controlled by women. Women are often most vulnerable to HIV infection due to lack of control and negotiating power in sexual relationships. The female condom provides ``dual protection''-simultaneous protection from infection and unwanted pregnancy-and is a valuable tool for women to combat AIDS. Yet, access to this method of HIV prevention is severely limited due to lack of financial support from governments and international donor agencies.

DESCRIPTION: Doubts about the acceptability and use of the female condom, and the relatively high cost as compared to male condoms, have undercut the commitment of governments and donors to invest in this technology. But common assumptions lag far behind the evidence from multiple countries that shows female condoms are acceptable to a large share of those at risk of infection. The cost of the female condom must be weighed against the cost of treatment of new infections, and of children and families who would lose a parent to AIDS and/or be infected through MTCT.

LESSONS LEARNED: The cost of the female condom will only fall with greater demand and production initiated by public sector investments. CHANGE is working to: educate policymakers (US Government and US-supported donor agencies) about this tool for HIV prevention and women's empowerment; influence emerging global AIDS policy and legislation to support gender-sensitive HIV/AIDS programs, including female condoms; document the impact of well-designed female condom interventions, and develop and support advocacy strategies through partnerships with women's groups in India, Peru, and Ghana.

Recommendations: A partnership between female condom users, programmers, and international advocates is critical for both international and country level mobilization of resources. Together, we must call for support for gender-sensitive HIV prevention interventions that include the female condom.

Presenting author: Sarah Joy Albrecht

1A. Amin Center for Health and Gender Equity, Center for Health and Gender Equity, 6930 Carroll Avenue, Suite 910, Takoma Park, MD 20912, United States.

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