Advocacy Tools
The advocacy tools posed here offer general information and guidance on advocacy communication that can be useful to many groups interested in advocating for female condoms and female condom programming.
Why advocacy for female condoms?
Policy makers lament women’s vulnerablity to HIV infection, yet for 15 years they have failed to utilise a technology which can help women to protect and empower themselves. The female condom is the only female-initiated method which provides protection from HIV infection; it also prevents unwanted pregnancy. Studies have shown it is acceptable to users, increases the proportion of protected sex acts, and is cost-effective when provided in addition to male condoms. Yet most women cannot access female condoms. Female condoms exist now; the push for universal access to them should begin now.
We call upon all advocates to raise awareness on this issue and to put it on the agenda within your own network. If you have any additional questions on advocacy for female condoms, please contact us and we will try to provide you with the right information.
What is advocacy?
Advocacy is a set of targeted actions directed at decision-makers in sport of a specific policy issue. Effective advocacy is strategic, targeted, well designed, and firmly supported by reliable data. To provide decision-makers with a clear message for action, advocacy moves beyond awareness raising. It identifies the issue reuiring attention and proposes a specific, actionable solution.
Advocacy principles of UAFC Joint Programme:
The following principles guide the International Advocacy activities and reflect the vision of the UAFC Joint Programme:
• the female condom is a commodity that has proven to be highly efficacious in preventing unwanted pregnancy and STI, including HIV transmission;
• large-scale female condom programming is effective;
• the high cost of the commodity and the general lack of competition in the market have so far been the major stumbling blocks;
• providing an/ initiating an impetus to sexual and reproductive health and rights;
• engaging in the MDG movement;
• the advocacy message will be evidence-based;
• long-term planning and a holistic approach can give women access to the commodity at an affordable price;
• donor diversification and more involvement of organisations other than the UNFPA will make the female condom more widely distributed and more accessible.
