PROMOTION OF THE FEMALE CONDOM

With funding from DANIDA, SWAA undertook a one-year intensive promotion of the female condom use in five selected regions namely Ashanti, Eastern, Western, Central and Volta. Subsequently SWAA has carried out numerous advocacy and sensitization programmes on the female condom in Greater Accra and Brong Ahafo Regions. More than 10,000 women and some men have been trained in the use of the female condom and over 100,000 pieces of the FC distributed. Puppetry shows, radio and television interviews and workshops are some of the strategies used in the promotion of the FC.  SWAA Ghana in partnership with Ghana AIDS Commission continues to promote both male and female condom use among sexually active populations, through education and ensuring that condom outlets are adequately stocked for most at risk populations. Additionally, in February 2007, with assistance from King Baudouin Foundation United States (KBFUS), SWAA was able to train Community Based Distributors and established community condom outlets in the Eastern and Central Regions to increase communities’ access to the condoms.

The FC promotion aims at contributing to the reduction in the spread and impact of HIV/AIDS on women, and enhancing women’s reproductive health rights by providing them with a female controlled protective tool.

Teachings and demonstration of condom use

Activities undertaken under the Female Condom Promotion

Baseline studies, Trainer of trainers, downstream training, drama and puppetry training, quarterly review meeting, Radio sensitisation programs, condom distribution, media training and radio activities in the region, networking meeting, advocacy programs

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Promotion of Microbicides in Ghana

Since the early 1990’s female condom were introduced as a new method for prevention of unwanted pregnancies and STDs/HIV/AIDS. However the actual promotion of female condoms in certain African countries s was met with some challenges.

Notable among them are the negotiation skills that many women lack in negotiating for the use of female condom. They need additional women initiated barrier methods that are less obtrusive. Microbicides have the potential of providing that additional barrier method that would save the lives of many African women.

It is against this background that the Society for Women and AIDS in Africa (SWAA) Ghana and Pro-link, working through a multisectoral advocacy team embarked on an advocacy program targeting stakeholders various levels in Ghana. International Family Health funded this project.

The goal of the project was to create awareness among all stakeholders in order to get the critical mass committed to supporting and promoting microbicides.

Activities

Baseline studies, trainer of trainers, downstream training, drama and puppetry training, quarterly review meetings, radio sensitisation programs, condom promotion and distribution, media training and radio activities, networking meeting, advocacy programs are some of the methods used for SWAA activities.

SWAA Ghana uses advocacy with political Leaders like the office of the First Lady, Parliamentarians, District Assemblies, Chiefs and Opinion Leaders. We lobby individuals, policy makers and politicians. We use seminars, sensitisation workshops, media programmes, film shows, documentaries, talks and IE&C materials to drive home our messages. We encourage greater involvement of beneficiaries in project identification, designing, implementation and evaluation.