International Condom Day commemorated through community outreaches
International Condom Day is celebrated on February 13th every year. The holiday is celebrated before Valentine’s Day in an effort to remind people that the condom is one of the reliable and most convenient ways of preventing pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. The day is also a way of reminding people to practice safety when being intimate with their partners.
By Tafadzwa Matangira (ZNFPC Student Intern – University of Zimbabwe)
Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) joined hands with Aids Health Foundation (AHF) and other stakeholders in the health sector in celebrating International Condom Day in Lusaka Highfield and Ushewokunze community. ZNFPC was offering free condoms, contraceptive pills, self-testing kits for HIV and HIV Testing. ZNFPC also provide pads to young girls of the age 24 years and below. Star FM was providing entertainment to people and awarding them packs of free condoms from AIDs Health Foundation.
It was also setup as a way to remind people that condoms are one of the best ways to protect themselves not only from unplanned pregnancies but Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) as well. Proper usage reduces the risk of diseases like gonorrhea, chlamydia and HIV among others. Condoms function by forming a physical barrier that prevents ejaculated semen from the penetrating partner from entering the body of the penetrated partner. Condoms are easily available, affordable and easy to use. This makes them the most commonly used method of contraception after female sterilization.
Condoms offer a dual protection method in preventing unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections including HIV. ZNFPC distributes Public Sector condoms, focusing on free distribution of condom brands such as the ‘Blue Gold’ male condom and Female Condom (FC2). Condoms offer dual protection against risk of unintended pregnancy, transmission of HIV between partners, risk of acquiring or transmitting other STIs as well as risk of re-infection with STIs including HIV.