Information Sheet: UAFC Joint Programme
July 2010
The female condom: potential for STI and pregnancy prevention
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on HIV/AIDS, maternal and child mortality and morbidity rates will not be achieved if existing double prevention methods, such as the female condom, remain out of reach of those women who need them most. Since gender inequality is an important driver of the HIV epidemic, the feminization of AIDS has become a reality in sub-Saharan Africa where 76% of HIV-positive youth are female. Women and girls face the consequences of unprotected sex and bear the enormous burden of unwanted pregnancy and risk of infection. Universal access to female condoms, therefore, merits prioritization.
The female condom has been tested in numerous pilot projects. Studies have repeatedly shown high levels of acceptability of female condoms. However, this commodity is not widely accessible. High prices (up to 30 times the price of the male condom) and very limited or irregular access have inhibited the female condom from becoming an accepted reproductive health commodity and HIV prevention method. This is a missed opportunity and cannot be justified, since the female condom is the only female-initiated method that offers dual protection: it protects both against unwanted pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), including HIV. The UAFC Joint Programme makes female condoms available, accessible, and affordable to all. The goals of the program are to:
- Increase demand for female condoms;
- Increase the available variety and lower the price of the female condom;
- Encourage public acceptance of female condoms as a commodity that enables women to exercise their sexual and reproductive rights.
The UAFC Joint Programme
The UAFC Joint Programme is a 3-year program (2009-2011) that contributes to the following objectives:
- A decrease in the number of unwanted pregnancies and, vicariously, a decrease in the number of maternal deaths (MDG 5), and;
- A decrease in the number of STIs, including HIV transmission, and—following from this—a decrease in the number of AIDS deaths (MDG 6);
- Promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women (MDG 3).
The UAFC Joint Programme consists of three components, which cater to their respective specific goals:
- Research and Development and overall marketing of the product.
We strive to encourage a greater number of companies to produce a greater variety of female condoms and to put them on the market for a lower, more affordable price. More product variety will contribute to the acceptability of the female condom and to increased demand. Additionally, a wider product choice and market competition between different suppliers will have a positive effect on the price. Producers of new types of female condoms have to be encouraged to opt for WHO qualification and, if necessary, should be able to request guidance and assistance throughout this process. Advancement of all of these objectives is part of the R&D component of UAFC Joint Programme. - Three large-scale female condom country programs.
Our large-scale country programs in Nigeria and Cameroon aim to increase demand for and create access to an affordable female condom for all women and men in a sustainable manner. The country programs are locally owned as they are directed by national steering committees and implemented by a set of local actors: a combination of civil society organizations, government, UN agencies, and the private sector. - International advocacy, Communication and Linking and Learning.
Our international advocacy efforts aim to generate structural political as well as financial support for female condom programming. Linking and Learning is generated between programs in order to render more effective implementation of large-scale female condom programs around the world.
Current state of affairs of the country programs
The lead organization of the large scale female condom program in Nigeria is the Society for Family Health (SFH). In July 2009, the formal program launch took place in Nigeria. In preparation for the launch, training of trainers took place and new partners were identified, such as patent medicine store vendors, NGO coalitions, and organizations focusing on women and youth, as well as various media outlets. Education, mass media and interpersonal communication activities, sales and dissemination of female condoms have all started. 310.000 female condoms were sold up until the second quarter of 2010. A total of over 4 million female condoms will be disseminated within the framework of the UAFC country program in Nigeria in the next one and half year.
Current state of affairs of the country programs
Association Camerounaise pour le Marketing Social (ACMS) is the lead organization of the UAFC program in Cameroon. The formal program launch in November 2009 was a large event. Government ministers, artists and youth groups were present. The program is being implemented in close cooperation with the Cameroonian Ministry of Health and Family Affairs. Until the second quarter of 2010, 475.000 female condoms have been sold against highly subsidized prices and 167.000 condoms have been disseminated free of charge. A total of 3 million female condoms will be disseminated in the next one and half year years.
The partnership
The UAFC Joint Programme is a partnership between four Dutch organizations: Oxfam Novib, the World Population Foundation, i+solutions, and the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The functional complementarities of the partners as well as their respective networks and experience determine the added value of the collaboration. i+solutions brings in expertise and experience from the field of pharmaceutical supply chain management, which is valuable in the strengthening of local partners’ capacity. The organization also provides the indispensable link to the private sector. The World Population Foundation boasts a convincing track record as the advocacy agency for reproductive and sexual health. Its experience and expertise is essential when it comes to national and international advocacy for female condoms. Oxfam Novib functions as the main contracting organization to implement this innovative type of inclusive female condom programming. The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs (and other donors) bring in the capacity to generate political momentum.
On country program level, partnerships are established between NGOs, government institutions, community-based organizations (faith-based or otherwise), the private sector and multilateral organizations such as the UNFPA.
For more information on UAFC Joint Programme and female condom programming please contact:
Lucie van Mens, programme coordinator
Or
Nienke Blauw, advocacy officer
