Bengaluru: AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), an NGO, has started a unique bank called free condom store, aimed to tackle the taboos attaching in buying condoms. Through this initiative it intends facilitate easy availability of condoms across the country.
Though condoms play a vital role in helping reduce chances of pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV, their usage continues to be low, especially among the high risk groups.
A mid-term appraisal of National Aids Control Programme (NACP IV) in 2015 - 16 revealed that only 16 per cent target have been achieved in terms of condom distribution. The factors that deter its usage include lack of availability, affordability and various taboos.
Activists and NGOs in city have been working towards senstising masses and female sex workers about HIV can now seek help of this condom store.
"Stigma and discrimination have always hampered the usage of condoms and it is still considered a taboo. Hence the need for such a store becomes important. Here the distributor does not want to see your face and would not charge anything, but take heed to your request," said Dr V Sam Prasad, Country Programme Director, AHF.
He claimed that within five days of the official launch more than 5,000 condoms have already been shipped and another 400 packets would be dispatched on Tuesday.
"We have been getting a lot of calls and requests from NGOs activists and volunteers from Karnataka, Andhra and Tamil Nadu. There is a dire need to continue intense public awareness to tackle inhibitions and taboos associated with condoms and encourage their usage. The team has already got some 3,000 emails and many calls on their toll free number," he said. This response shows the need for such an initiative which overcomes the stigma attached to condom, he added.
