Years after its debut and the female condom remains unchanged and as uncomfortable as ever writes Moses Magadza: (Pictured: An anti-HIV/AIDS activist distributes male condoms Women say the female version of the condom is difficulty and uncomfortable to use)
Once heralded as a solution to putting reproductive health choices in the hands of women, some say the manufacturers of the Femidom a sheath meant to help women prevent pregnancy and diseases during sexual intercourse should go back to the drawing board and come up with a more user-friendly contrivance. They argue the female condom currently in circulation is satisfying men, while frustrating women. Thabitha Khumalo, Member of Parliament for Bulawayo East in Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirais Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party, took a few minutes from the packed schedule of a recent HIV Progress review workshop in Johannesburg to dwell on the inadequacies of the female condom.
Ever used a Femidom?
With an open female condom dangling from one hand, the flamboyant lawmaker had participants in stitches of laughter, asking her colleagues – who included fellow parliamentarians and representatives of civil society organisations from all over southern Africa if they had ever used it. Hands up those who have ever used this drum. Dont be shy, comrades, challenged Khumalo, who is also deputy spokesperson of her party. As the participants looked down and giggled, three hands slowly went up; two women and one man. Well, comrades, I have seen the female condoms. I have used this drum and I have demonstrated how it is supposed to be used. The challenge in using the female condom is, first of all, it is a drum. The insertion of that condom is a challenge for every woman, she said.
It’s uncomfortable
According to Khumalo, researchers must turn their attention to other forms of contraceptives. Perhaps we should have gels so that we dont get infected because the female condom is a big No, No. Some activists have been pressing for the availability of more effective microbicides for women as a prevention tool. A microbicide is a gel meant to kill HIV-infected sperm and has the potential of giving the woman the ultimate decision, unlike the unwieldy female condom. A South African woman, who preferred to remain unnamed, said that many women keep long nails, natural or artificial, which increases risks associated with the condom. With long nails, the chances of perforating the Femidom are very high, she said.
Women are nonentities
Khumalo added, How does one enjoy sex under such circumstances? For her, the female condom is a measure of the extent to which society values women. It shows that women are nonentities when it comes to sex, health and their reproductive rights. When male condoms were designed, men gave feedback that prompted the manufacturers to hasten to improve it, said Khumalo. Some men complained that the condom was too small and bigger ones were made. Others said the material used to make male condoms at the time was so thick that it interfered with sensation and thinner ones were made. What improvements have been made to the female condom? She reckons women may have to take drastic measures if they are to jolt men into thinking of better contraceptives than the female condom. Women should deny men sex until they meet their demands for better prevention methods. If all over the world women say no to sex for a week, someone will come up with an effective gel, she opined.
Mixed reaction
Agai Jones works for Population Services International (PSI), which markets female condoms in southern Africa. He was present when Khumalo lampooned the female condom. He says there has been mixed reaction to the product, but it has not been all bad. Its difficult to sell it in some countries and less difficult in others. In Zambia and Zimbabwe, we have significant female condom sales. It works best when there is good interpersonal communication, Jones said in an interview. According to Jones, in Zimbabwe PSI deploys promoters to hair salons where they hold honest and open conversations with women who get an opportunity to ask questions. Its a product that requires some communication; men and women having a conversation about sex, which is not very typical in this region. The biggest challenge with the female condom is overcoming social norms.
Jones thinks that the female condom is a great product, which can empower women because they actually control its physical installation. Unlike the latex male condom, the female condom, he adds, conducts heat so men and women derive pleasure from using it.
Editors Note: ?Moses Magadza is a journalist and freelance editor from Namibia. This article was first published by the Gender Links Opinion and Commentary Service.
Post published in: News