Source: All Africa
The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) says the use of the female condom will boost the reproductive health of women.
The UNFPA Deputy Representative, Dr Bannet Ndyanabangi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday that the new female condom being introduced would provide overall health enhancement for the women.
He said the female condom was also a tool in the hands of a woman which she could control without discussing or negotiating it with the man.
"A woman will be able to protect her body against sexually transmitted diseases without waiting for the male to approve its use," he said.
Ndyanabangi further said that the female condom was one of the best birth control methods for women, but noted that it was relatively new compared to the male condom.
He said the female condom faced some initial challenges as the women complained of its size, the noise generated during sexual intercourse and the discomfort in wearing it.
"Indeed, there were attempts to ensure that female condoms were available but women were not using them.
"At present, there are new female condoms in the market acceptable by women as they are safe, simple and convenient."
Ndyanabangi observed that the male condoms were used frequently than the female condoms, and stressed the need to create more awareness and accessibility to the products.