Statement by the UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Nathalie Ndongo-Seh on the commemoration of International Condom Day

Today, the 13th of February, marks the commemoration of the International Condom Day, which was created by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation to promote the use of condoms in preventing unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.

All individuals have a right to know how to protect themselves and their families from diseases as, altogether around the world, we have committed in Sustainable Development Goal 3 to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all  .

As we commemorate this day, we need to break the barriers and taboos surrounding the use of condoms, as condoms are the only measure with the dual protection against STIs and unwanted pregnancies.

It is unfortunate that condom use is still associated with promiscuity and irresponsible behaviour. This has resulted in a number of persons  taking the risk of being infected or transmitting  diseases. The most affected are young girls and women, who have less power to negotiate condom use with their partners, including husbands.

Over the years, stigma and discrimination have kept people from seeking to know their HIV status and receiving counselling, out of fear that they would  be ostracized, rejected and even harmed by their communities and families.

Global statistics show that 90 percent of condom use among the sexually active would prevent over 17 million of new HIV infections, 420 million of unintended pregnancies, and 700 million of STIs.

In Eswatini, the use of condoms plays a significant role in maintaining the health and the wellbeing of Emaswati given that the country has the highest HIV prevalence rate  at 27.3 percent among the sexually active population.

The United Nations in Eswatini has supported comprehensive condom programming and, with partners, continues to assist the country in ensuring that, overall, HIV prevention targets are met through various strategies such as the improvement of access to quality and affordable male and female condoms.

Remember: “Safer IS Sexy”.