The world celebrated International Condom Day on February 13, 2023, with calls to prioritise the conversation on safe sex.
Kenyans from all walks of life took to social media to share messages aimed at creating awareness on the use of condoms to prevent unplanned pregnancies and transmission of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
Various organisations and partner agencies also visited some universities to sensitise students and members of the public on the importance of using protection ahead of Valentine’s Day tomorrow. February 14.
The National Syndemic Disease Control Council (NSDCC) was at Mount Kenya University (MKU) where experts demonstrated to the students how to use both male and female condoms.
The students marched through the streets with placards and banners bearing the message “Safer love is sexy”.
“Why risk na HIV infections and other STIs unplanned when you can safely enjoy sex by correctly and consistently using a condom?”
The condoms were distributed by Non-Governmental Organisation Maisha Youth.
International Condom Day was established by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, a US-based non-profit founded in 1987 in response to the AIDS epidemic. The organization celebrates the holiday by handing out free condoms.
The day is celebrated on February 13 every year.
It is celebrated before Valentine’s Day in an effort to remind people that the use of condoms is one of the best and most effective ways of preventing new HIV infections, sexually transmitted infections and pregnancies.
Kenya marks International Condom Day amid an acute shortage of condoms in the country.
Last year, health officers in Bungoma and Busia counties attributed the short supply of condoms to a decline in international donor funding.
“The county (Busia) is experiencing an acute shortage of condoms which is not a Busia problem alone. It’s a national problem. This is a donor-funded commodity based on a global fund. At the moment, donor funding has dwindled,” Janerose Ambuchi, the Director of Medical Services in Busia county, said.
Speaking while marking the World Condoms Day at Kenya Coast Polytechnic in Mombasa, NACC Coast Region Coordinator Omar Mwanjama said the country is faced with a deficit of 401 million condoms, a move that has affected free supply of the commodity to the targeted population.
“The country is working on a low supply compared to the demand. The shortage is real and needs to be addressed as it might slow down the gains in the fight against Aids and other STIs,” Mwanjama said.
The shortage has forced NACC to focus only on those in dire need of the commodity offered free by the government.
“Situation has forced us to focus on only those in dire need, which has raised complaints. The demand shows that a huge population depends on free government condoms,” added Mwanjama.
Aids Healthcare Foundation Prevention Programmes Manager Mary Nyaguthii called on the government to address the shortage, saying it is adversely affecting the fight against HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
“Shortage of condoms is a big blow in the fight against HIV/Aids. The government needs to assure Kenyans of enough supplies through partnerships with other health organisations,” Nyaguthii said.
