By PRISCA MBEWE –
WOMEN make up almost half of the people infected with HIV/AIDS worldwide. But they have limited options for preventing infections.
This is why the Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the Ministry of Gender is committed to protect women’s rights, fight gender based violence and reduce gender inequalities by making progressive changes to legislation.
One of the tools being used to protect women from HIV infection is the female condom. It has been redesigned, repacked and renamed as diva female condom.
It remains the only means of preventing both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV/AIDS.
The new advanced diva female condom which is also known as ‘’female initiated’’ has been designed to give women greater control over their own protection without having to rely on their partners to use a condom.
In a speech read by Gender Deputy Minister Dorothy Kazunga at the diva condom launch at East Park shopping mall in Lusaka, Gender Minister Professor Nkandu Luo said legislation to protect women seeks to prioritize the advancement of women and strengthen the capacity to influence decision making on matters that involve their health at the highest level on matters pertaining to gender equality and children.
“As a ministry, we would like to call upon national promotional campaigns that help us to identify successful approaches, altering the social environment that may support women condom uptake,” she said.
Professor Luo said the Government believes that introduction of the female condom does not mean simply putting it on the pharmacy shelf.
She said the condom requires proactive, well planned strategies to integrate it into the country’s contraceptive method mix.
She said millions of women and men need protection from STIs as well HIV/AIDS and the new diva condom is the answer.
She called for the need, particularly for young women who face the highest risk of HIV/AIDS and sexual infection, to be targeted with sensitisation about the importance of the female condom.
She said gender roles and sexual norms often put women and girls at greater risk of infection than boys and men.
She said with the recognition that gender based inequalities and disempowerment are a major forces driving the spread of HIV, the development of a method of prevention has become imperative for women.
“Therefore, there is an urgent need for HIV prevention strategies that gives women greater control and the new women diva condom is the only female controlled safe method available, after abstinence,” she said.
Professor Luo further urged aid organisations to continue working hand in hand with her ministry and ensure a sustainable supply of the female condom.
“It is our aim to bring this newly improved women’s condom within the reach of all women because it is in line with the country’s commitment to move towards universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support,” she said.
Nevertheless, women and men need protection from STIs and the diva condom, which is made of polyurethane material, is also the answer which can provide that protection and also work for people who are allergic to latex.
Musician Brain Bwembya, who is also known as B-Flow, said he is happy with the introduction of the new diva condom.
“Being a man that advocates for women’s rights in ensuring that women are protected in the society, I support the introduction of this product which will safeguard women’s health,” he said.
Brain said he is happy to add his voice to ensuring that more women understand the importance of the diva condom.
He described the condom as a good initiative and a good product. He urged all women in Zambia to embrace it and start using it.
He further stated that women should be part of decision making when it comes to sexual matters.
‘’It has always been a man who makes the decision of when to have sex and how and that has been dangerous because when a man decides not to use protection, a woman cannot say anything and this has been one of the reasons leading to the rapid spread of HIV,”he said
The new female condom puts the women in control in terms of decision making and this means the rate of HIV infections could be reduced.
“I am really happy that even as a man, I can contribute to ensure this maximum diva is a success and this is why I did I song called condomise where I have sung about the need for men to be dedicated to safeguarding the health of a woman.
“The maximum diva can help the women in child spacing, reduce unwanted pregnancy as well as reduction in HIV rates,” the musician said.
The new diva female condom has proved to be an important tool for the prevention of STDs, including HIV.
Society for Family Health (SFH) Executive Director Namwinga Chintu said her organization has been working with the Zambian Government for 24 years in implementing the project.
Speaking in a speech read on her behalf by SFH Deputy Executive Director Gina Smith, Dr Chintu said the mission of SFH is to serve the underprivileged and unreached in society by providing better choices for healthier lives.
“We chose to call this product maximum diva female condom because it is one of the methods that offer a women’s dual protection from unplanned pregnancy and against the acquisition of HIV and other STIs,” she said.
Dr Chintu said the new and improved maximum diva female condom is an effective, female initiated method that provides an additional protection option for women and their partners.
This woman’s condom has been designed to give women greater control over their own protection without having to rely on their partners to use a condom, Dr Chintu said.
She urged men and women to support the newly improved method as it is vital that men’s positive attitude and willingness to use the diva condom may even enhance its acceptability to women.
Dr Chintu urged all Zambian women to make use of the product because it is made by them, through them and for them.
Dr Chintu paid tribute to NORAD and Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency-Zambia (SIDA) for their support as well as the Zambian Government for creating an enabling environment to ensure that the right health products reach the right people at the right time and at the right cost.