MSNBC: D.C. to give away female condoms in U.S. first

[Heidi]

Seen as a critical element to stemming the spread of HIV/AIDS

updated 1:12 a.m. ET March 6, 2010

WASHINGTON - The District will become the first city in the United States to distribute female condoms free, part of a project that will make 500,000 of them available in beauty salons, convenience stores and high schools in parts of the city with high HIV rates.

<snip>

The move is an official acknowledgment of the futility of relying solely on the use of male condoms, which have been distributed citywide for nearly a decade, to stem the District's epidemic of HIV and AIDS. Officials said they are turning to female condoms to give women more power to protect themselves from HIV and sexually transmitted diseases when their partners refuse to use protection.

<snip>

"Anywhere male condoms are available, female condoms will be available," said Shannon Hader, director of the D.C. HIV/AIDS Administration. "We're not saying that if you're a school in this area, you can't get female condoms. We're trying to make every effort count to build on what already exists . . . to expand options rather than limit them."

<snip>

"There are areas where the city is not doing a good job , but in some areas they are cutting edge. On this one, they're cutting edge" said Walter Smith, executive director of D.C. Appleseed, a watchdog group. "The very fact that they're doing this . . . says to women of the city that this is important to you. This is important to your families. Get with the program."

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[Stargazer99]

1. My question is where in the hell were these things

a long time ago. Isn 't that typical leave the responsibility to women as men can't seem to "belly up to the bar".

[Jim__]

2. Some men are irresponsibe, not all men can be classifed that way.

I've known some irresponsible women too.

[LoZoccolo]

5. As a matter of fact you can find plenty of posts online by women trying to get pregnant...

...without their boyfriend/husband knowing, poking holes in condoms and the like.

[tomm2thumbs]

3. groundbreaking

and long overdue

[lunatica]

4. Here's a very short video on instructions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnyC_v0-DQ4