Dr Sekina Bello of the Pathfinder International Nigeria,
an NGO, has called on women to maximise the benefits of the female
condom for family planning and preventing Sexually Transmitted Diseases
(STD).
Bello told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on
Wednesday that female condom was the only family planning commodity
initiated by women themselves.
According to her, the female condom
empowers a woman to take charge of her life as well as the only
commodity that gives dual protection from unwanted pregnancy and
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD).
“When correctly worn, the female condom
does not have any problem, the woman does not feel there is a barrier
between her and her partner, as it gives the female user a near natural
feeling very close to skin to skin.
“If
the male partner is desirous of using a barrier method, but reacts to
latex, which the male condom is made of, then the female condom should
be an alternative. The material FC2 brand is made of is hypoallergenic.
“This will not only give them dual protection, but maximum pleasure and save them stress associated with unwanted pregnancy,” she said.
Dr Bello said that the NGO would continue to
carry out enlightenment, training and education via the media until both
sexes appreciated not only the male condom but the female condom too.
Similarly, Mrs Mary Bawa, Regional
Coordinator, Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria, urged women to
dispel with any fear they might be nursing about the female condom.
“The female condom has a lot of benefits
as it makes sexual partners take the worry out of sex, saying it is safe
and has nothing to do with traditional beliefs.
“It is an important part of taking care of
yourself even if you are already using some kind of birth control
methods to avoid pregnancy.
“It is a good idea to also use female
condoms every time you have sex to help protect yourself against STDs
and unwanted pregnancy,” she said.
Bawa urged women to take care of themselves by using the female condom for its protection, safety and pleasure.