By Victoria Yande
Sexual and reproductive health remains a critical issue in Malawi and globally, especially in efforts to mitigate the rapid spread of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
Low uptake of female condoms-
One persistent challenge is the low uptake of female condoms, which are essential tools in reducing STI prevalence.
Mzimba South District is no exception, facing difficulties in encouraging more women and girls to use female condoms as part of these efforts.
A sex worker from Mzimba, Flora Zgambo, highlighted the lack of knowledge about female condoms and their correct use.
She noted that many women and girls avoid using female condoms because they don't know how to insert them properly.
Additionally, she stressed that while women are beginning to assert themselves in demanding condom use from their sexual partners, the uptake of female condoms remains low.
“Women and girls are hesitant to use their specially designed condoms but support the accessibility and use of male condoms.
This reflects a lack of independence and self-reliance in sexual and reproductive health decision-making. Without active participation, efforts to reduce the spread of STIs will fail,” she said.
Zgambo also pointed out that while female condoms are available, their complexity deters many women.
“We know female condoms exist, but the challenge is inserting them correctly. It can be painful and uncomfortable, which discourages use. As a result, many women and girls prefer to use male condoms. As a businesswoman, it’s also challenging because female condoms require specific timing before use.
“This affects my income since clients are constrained by time, and switching between rounds can be difficult. Complaints like these make it harder for women to use female condoms effectively,” Zgambo explained.
Youth sexual reproductive health focal person at Mzimba Youth Organization (MYO), Philmon Ngoma, acknowledged that women and girls often opt for male condoms due to a lack of information about female condoms.
“Women and girls visit us to get male condoms, even though female condoms are available. This stems from ignorance, myths about immorality, and male dominance in sexual decisions. These barriers hinder our efforts to combat rising STI rates and reduce sexual abuse,” Ngoma said.
The condom coordinator at Mzimba South District Hospital, Matsiliza Namakhwa, echoed these concerns, saying despite that condoms are in use, but there’s still a challenge when it comes to women and girls using female condoms.
He said more research is needed to understand why the uptake is so low.
“We often rely on hearsay, such as myths and lack of knowledge, to guide our actions,” said Namakhwa.
Namakhwa added that while condom distribution continues, female condom use still lags because women and girls are not contributing as much to the national agenda of reducing STI transmission.
He said this undermine their own voice and decision-making in their sexual lives.
“It’s difficult to measure this exactly, as we don’t have set targets, but our goal is to ensure safer sexual activity between our male and female clients,” he said.
He urged the government and stakeholders to intensify efforts to disseminate correct information and raise awareness among women and girls about female condoms because such efforts would not only increase female condom use but also enhance women’s sexual freedom and decision-making.
Health commentator Maziko Matemba emphasized the need for the government and stakeholders to scale up interventions such as sensitization campaigns.
“Increased awareness and demand for female condoms will help reverse the economic impacts caused by resource wastage in the health sector,” Matemba concluded.
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