Seven months after trial, CSWs still wait for female condoms

[Guest guest]

Dear FORUM,

As many of you will have guessed, NACO is responsible for making a decision on

when to proceed with distribution of this life-saving prevention tool for women.

They are moving VERY slowly on it. (Anonmyous posting)

____________________________

NEWSLINE SPECIAL: AT RS 40 APIECE, PRICE IS MAJOR DETERRENT. MANUFACTURERS TO

START PRODUCTION IN INDIA BUT SAY THEY WANT TO CHECK RESPONSE

Seven months after trial, city CSWs still wait for female condoms

Diya Chowdhury

Pune, September 13: SEVEN months after the female condom was officially launched

in India, Commercial Sex Workers (CSWs) in Pune are still waiting to get them.

To be marketed in India by Hindustan Latex Limited (HLL) in collaboration with a

UK-based manufacturing firm, Female Health Company (FHC), the condoms were to

reach chemists this March. But, at Rs 40, its price is a major deterrent.

Fifty-eight CSWs from Pune were a part of a nation-wide study conducted

by the FHC and HLL from April and October 2003. The study was to record

their response to the condom.

''The condom was accepted by the CSWs in Pune after the initial misgivings. But

we haven't heard anything from the HLL or FHC for seven months,'' rues Tejaswi

Sevekari of Saheli, the organisation through which the sample trail was launched

in Pune.

Sunita was among the 58 women who underwent the trial. Initially, like

the rest, she found the idea ridiculous and yes, cumbersome. But by October

2003, she was more than ready to embrace the condom.

Currently, the scene at HLL and FHC is that of reaching a consensus on

the price. Pulling down the cost to Rs 2 a piece is a task, say sources

at HLL headquarters in Chennai. But this has not deterred the latex giant, to

mull over an Indian production line. ''The whole idea of producing the condom in

India is on the anvil, but before that happens, we need to check the attitude of

other women,'' reasons Anand Balamor, HLL business manager in Chennai.

Very much like the nation-wide effort to market male condoms through NGOs and

people's organisations, the female condom will be channelled through the

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and National Aids Control oganisation.

''Two marketing plans, commercial and social, will cover it. The former is

through chemists, while the later is through social agencies and the

government,'' reiterates Jasmir Thakur, master trainer from FHC.

Notwithstanding the cost compatibility between HLL and FHC, Population Services

International (PSI) and international NGO recently launched the condom at Rs 2 a

piece. Floated by the name of Rishta last month, CSWs from Bhiwandi and Panvel

were invited to the release. PSI procures the condom from HLL.

The female condoms are made of heavily lubricated polyutherane was distributed

among 58 CSWs between 20 to 45.The women chosen for this launch had regular

artners. The study revealed that the condom was popular between regular

partners, but often rejected by customers.

There are 15,000 CSWs in Pune and some 4,500 operate from Budhwar and Raviwar

Peth.

http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=99410