A distinguished group of female condom advocates converged for a Universal Access to Female Condom (UAFC) forum in Abuja to discuss methods of strengthening and sustaining the use of female condom to ensure a healthier Nigeria.

 

The meeting led by the Society for Family Health (SFH) Nigeria gathered high-level representatives from ActionAID, Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH), CiSHAN, Enhancing Nigeria’s Capacity against AIDS Prevention (ENCAP), Federal Ministries of Health and Women Affairs, Federation of Muslim Women’s Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), FHI 360, Management Sciences for Health (MSH), National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), NYNETHA, PPFN, UNFPA, UNAIDS, Vanguard Newspaper and Radio Nigeria.

 

The forum began with introductions, an opening prayer and a welcome address by Mr. Wale Adedeji Chief Operating Officer, SFH. In his brief address, he affirmed the SFH ideal that women should have equal access to make a choice on protecting themselves and using female condom. His poignant question “Why is male condom more popular than female condom?”  stirred the floor as partners shared expectations for the meeting.

 

Mrs. Victoria Archibong, Programme Manager UAFC delivered a presentation on the UAFC journey so far, highlighting challenges and opportunities for the sustainability of the programme. Deliberations revealed a general consensus that there were challenges with distribution, usage, availability affordability, synergy and integration of the female condom (FC) which the forum set out to address.

 

In disputing the notion of FC distribution challenges, Dr. Bose Adeniran, Head of Reproductive Health, Federal Ministry of Health passionately professed the Federal Government’s commitment to a healthy Nigeria. She clearly stated the use of a condom strategy developed since 2007 which ensures that all states receive a designated amount of condoms as requested. She also commended SFH for the efforts to ensure that stakeholders involved in female condom in Nigeria are working together and not duplicating efforts.

 

Mr. Ifeanyi Okekearu, Deputy Director, ENR who moderated the forum, reiterated that UAFC targets non public health facilities as FC is already made available for free by the Federal Government to public health facilities in the 36 states. Dr Kalada Green, AOTR USAID spoke emphatically about the need to continue support for FC citing Nigeria’s focus on preventing mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS (PMTCT).  After a demonstration on how FC is inserted by Mrs. Archibong; Prof. Oladapo Ladipo, CEO ARFH also spoke keenly about the need to target strategic groups such as women associations to ensure that awareness for female condom is spread to all parts of Nigeria.

 

The meeting was a great opportunity for stakeholders to network, interact, share ideas and learn more about the use of female condom. All participants re-pledged their support to the Universal Access to Female Condom programme. Commitments were also made including the plan to compile and share a list of credible NGOs, CSOs and CBOs in all states for effective distribution of free condoms by the Federal and State Governments. On behalf of UNFPA and the Federal Government of Nigeria, Mrs. Nike Adedeji, Focal Person RH Commodity Security, UNFPA announced a donation of 4 million female condoms for FC interventions in Nigeria.

 

The Universal Access to Female Condom (UAFC) Nigeria Country programme commenced in August 2008 under the UAFC initiative funded by Oxfam Novib and implemented by the Society for Family Health as the lead partner. The programme is piloted in three focal states: Lagos, Delta and Edo respectively.

 

“Society for Family Health Nigeria…Creating Change, Enhancing Lives”