The role of Civil Society in promoting female Condoms and ways in which it can contribute to up scale programmes at the country level The role of Civil Society in promoting female Condoms and ways in which it can contribute to up scale programmes at the country level XVI International AIDS Conference August 2006 Toronto, Canada Rokhaya NGUER Executive Secretary

SWAA INTERNATIONALE SWAA INTERNATIONALE 1988 : SWAA (Society for Women And AIDS in Africa) 40 countries among Senegal 1989: SWAA/Senegal

SWAA/SENEGAL EXPERIENCES FC Acceptability at work place (enterprises, firms)/ UNIFEM Acceptability : 72,5% women favorable Acceptability : 72,5% women favorable Pleasure during sexual intercourse : 85% Pleasure during sexual intercourse : 85% Avantages : double protection Avantages : double protection Set up health kiosk for information and FC promotion/ UNFPA FC Promotion within women groups and youth network in sub urban area /CCISD Better knowledge of FC Better knowledge of FC Increased demand by women Increased demand by women FC Promotion in sub rural area/OSIWA Decentralization of the FC promotion Decentralization of the FC promotion

SWAA/SENEGAL EXPERIENCES (cont’) Advocacy with opinion leaders and support to women groups / FHI-USAID Comitment with Men As Partners Comitment with Men As Partners Better adhesion of women to FC Better adhesion of women to FC Cost ? FC funded exclusively by donors FC funded exclusively by donors  UN agencies (UNFPA, UNIFEM, others)  Bilateral agencies (USAID)

CHALLENGES Low capacity of women to negociate sex low appreciation of FC by men at the community level FC Stigmatisation: Negative correlation of FC with sex worker Difficulties to use FC Texture, size, noise, Texture, size, noise, Posture, discomfort Posture, discomfort Procurement and logistics Experience of creating demand without ensuring FC supply Experience of creating demand without ensuring FC supply Weak distribution system between the central and the civil society Weak distribution system between the central and the civil society

SOLUTIONS to CHALLENGES Reinforce capacity building of women’s groups to promote safer sex Reinforce capacity building of women’s groups to promote safer sex Make the FC more Erotic : BCC for a better acceptation of FC by male partner Proximity communication through discussion (Mbotaay, tuur), including men Place of FC in women sexual Reproductive Health (Double protection) Partnership and collaboration with the STI/HIV office (Health Ministry) for procurement

FC Scaling-up Consolidate achievements : Share lessons learned between differents actors and with others countries Share lessons learned between differents actors and with others countries Promote FC by Sensibilisation and promotion nationwide in collaboration with men distribution, refresh on how to use condom distribution, refresh on how to use condom Promotion on STI/AID educational session Promotion on STI/AID educational session Men involvment on promotion (trad. Leaders ) Men involvment on promotion (trad. Leaders ) Ensure access and sustainability as well as a reliable logistic system Quantification, stockage upon Norms Quantification, stockage upon Norms

FC Scale –up (cont’) Involve the private sector through the Social Marketing Promotion and Distribution Promotion and Distribution FC availability through the commercial private sector FC availability through the commercial private sector (Shops, beauty salons, women’s tailor etc.) (Shops, beauty salons, women’s tailor etc.) Low cost of the FC (lower than condom) Use public and private media Press, TV Press, TV Community radio station Community radio station Partnership with traditional communicators Partnership with traditional communicators Political commitment +++ Government budget for FC procurement Government budget for FC procurement National Strategy (politic and norms) for condoms especially for FC National Strategy (politic and norms) for condoms especially for FC

FC scaling-up Partners : for a better organization of the support UNFPA : RH Services of HM (Family planning services, etc. to unstigmatize the FC UNFPA : RH Services of HM (Family planning services, etc. to unstigmatize the FC USAID ; STI HIV office (civil Society : SWAA/Senegal, AWA CBO, etc.) USAID ; STI HIV office (civil Society : SWAA/Senegal, AWA CBO, etc.) Civil Society = Interface between the government donors and communities Collaboration with public sector : strategic planning, funding, decision making at high level meeting Collaboration with public sector : strategic planning, funding, decision making at high level meeting Collaboration with the private sector: increased promotion for better use of FC Collaboration with the private sector: increased promotion for better use of FC Collaboration with Community Based Organisations : Increased use of FC by women and men Collaboration with Community Based Organisations : Increased use of FC by women and men

CONCLUSION Senegal is a low prevalence country,with a concentrated type epidemy: STI/ HIV-AIDS is a major public health issue with the feminization of the epidemy STI/ HIV-AIDS is a major public health issue with the feminization of the epidemy Condom promotion, especially the FC, remains the most cost – effective strategy Condom promotion, especially the FC, remains the most cost – effective strategy Appropriate community response will increase the use of FC by women and specially by men Appropriate community response will increase the use of FC by women and specially by men Strategic approach in health service delivery will increase use of FC by women Strategic approach in health service delivery will increase use of FC by women