BLM, World Vision Collaborate to Increase Condom Availability in Malawi

LILONGWE, Malawi—Banja la Mtsogolo (BLM), in collaboration with World Vision International, has launched a condom distribution initiative in Lilongwe, Chikwawa, and Thyolo districts aimed at increasing the availability, accessibility, and acceptability of condoms, writes Harold Mtepatepa, MANA.

The drive is in response to the government's call for programs to reduce the prevalence of HIV and AIDS and promote condom availability in hard-to-reach areas.

Robert Xoma, Public Sector Strengthening and Outreach Coordinator for Banja la Mtsogolo emphasized the need to raise awareness about female condoms in communities in hard-to-reach areas.

"The female condom continues to lag behind the male condom in terms of uptake, yet it is effective in preventing unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections since it has less risk of rupture," said Xoma.

Ulemu Chiyenda, Lilongwe District HIV and AIDS, and Nutrition Officer, commended the initiative, stating that condom awareness in hard-to-reach areas is currently very low.

"There are a number of strategies that the government has put in place to keep our people healthy and promote the use of condoms. But we need all stakeholders to come in and assist us so that at the end of the day we keep the communities healthy," she said.

The campaign aims to distribute nine million (9,000,000) male condoms and five million (5,000,000) female condoms in hard-to-reach areas of the three districts of Lilongwe, Thyolo, and Chikwawa in 11 months with financial support from the Global Fund.