Female Condom: Equality in Safe Sex Practices

With HIV/AIDS running rampant throughout developing countries, there is a definite need to promote safe sex practices through education. However, campaigns to promote safe sex practices have often advocated the use of condoms to prevent the spread of STDs, overlooking the fact that many women are still very vulnerable. Condom use, though effective in preventing STDs, is highly stigmatized in many parts of the world. Many men refuse to carry or use condoms because it makes them less “manly.” In addition, it is ultimately up to the man to actually wear a condom. Thus, the sexual health of women is dependent on the man's willingness to use a condom, leaving them with few options to ensure that they remain safe. Women could refuse to have intercourse, but this often leads to other negative repercussions. A solution to this problem is the use of the female condom. The female condom is a prophylactic device that is worn by the female that is effective in preventing the spread of STDs (see figure right). The use of the female condom could empower women to take charge of their sexual health, especially when they cannot negotiate condom use from their male partner. It places the power of STD prevention in their own hands. This week, I looked to the blogosphere and commented on two recent posts about the promotion of female condom use and safer sex practices . The first is a post is by Kimberly Whipkey entitled Female and Male Condom Use: Whose Responsibility? In this post, Whipkey describes how both female and male condom use could be increased by proper education and advocates for greater access to these devices. The second post is by Kathleen Reeves and is titled Can Passion Have a Place in Safe Sex? In this post Reeves discusses how safer sex practices, including the use of female condoms, could be promoted by emphasizing their more pleasurable qualities. I have linked to the original posts and have pasted them below for your convenience.

Female and Male Condoms: Whose Responsibility?
Comment

I very much appreciate your discussion on the dynamic between men and women and the use of female and male condoms. I agree with you on the point that women play an important role in male condom use and vice versa. However, I do feel that this may not be the case in all parts of the world. Thus, having a tool such as the female condom is very important in that it empowers women to be responsible for their own sexual health. In fact, it is the only tool that can be used by women to prevent HIV infection and pregnancy. You mention that “comprehensive sexual education” is important so that “social, environmental, and personal factors are taken into account.” I feel that this is especially pertinent when advocating the use of female condoms. The process of negotiation to use protection is affected by factors such as cultural values, personal values, and degree of sexual education. These factors most definitely come into play when it is the female that ultimately makes the decision to use the prophylactic, as in the case of female condoms. In many cultures, sexuality is still a taboo among females. In addition, established gender roles may make it difficult for women to push for the use of prophylactics. Programs that break through these cultural and societal values are very important so that proper negotiation for the use condoms can take place. The push for female condoms also changes the dynamic of the negotiations, for it is no longer the male that has to be “convinced” so to speak. Comprehensive sexual education, along with the advancement of female condoms can truly change the gender dynamic of prophylactic use, especially in developing countries.

I was wondering whether you feel that the female condom can actually become as widely used as the male condom? To date, there is really just one major company making this type of contraceptive, and the FDA has only recently approved the second generation of female condom. I feel that there is still quite a long way to go before the female condom becomes as ubiquitous as the male condom (see image left).

Can Passion have a place in Safe Sex?
Comment

You bring up a very interesting point about how the use of condoms can be increased by employing positive messages of pleasure rather than negative messages of disease. It is rare to see the condom portrayed as a positive tool, bringing more pleasure than a nuisance, needed to prevent unfavorable consequences of intercourse, such as STD infection and pregnancy. However, it makes sense that positive messages of condoms have a greater effect than messages that scare people into using them. This is especially true of populations, such as those in monogamous relationships, that believe they are not susceptible to STD infection. Presenting condoms as enhancing the pleasurable experience makes it “applicable to everyone.” I was especially intrigued by the notion that the femal condom can be viewed as an “erotic accesory.” It is a brilliant marketing strategy that should be employed to a greater extent in places where condom use is still stigmatized.

I am curious to know your opinion on how these messages of condoms as objects of pleasure affect promiscuity. One of the major criticisms of safe sex education is that it places less emphasis on abstinence, and instead promotes the notion that sex can be had without consequences. In fact, even the Pope has refused to advocate the use of condoms, even though they are used to prevent STDs. Do you think that promoting safe sex as pleasurable gives a free pass to people to have more sexual partners or have sexual relations at an earlier age? Thus, it seems that this kind of strategy is a two-edged sword. On one hand, it does promote greater use of condoms, especially for people that are in relationships. On the other hand, it could send a message that downplays the emotion behind sexual acts. I think programs that advocate the use of condoms, especially ones that portray them as increasing sexual pleasure, ought to also educate people on the emotional aspects of sex and the benefits of abstinence. With that said, it is quite impressive that these programs have been able to present condoms in a more favorable light and increase their usage.