1. Female Condom Consortium Presentation by Yvonne Bogaarts World Population Foundation 25 October 2007 Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition SEMI-ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

2. Structure –State of the Art –Acceptibility –Obstacles –Potential of female condom –Consortium: partners & plans R&D Implementation in selected countries Knowledge centre –Difference the RHSC can make

3. Female condom products Female Health Company in USA: FC 1 (poly- urethane) (approved by USFDA, 1993) FC 2 (nitrile) (approved by WHO 2006)

4. Medtech Health Products in India: V’Amour FC/Dr. Reddy (latex) (approved by India Drug Controller in 2003, not approved by WHO)

5. Forthcoming PATH: development of a better product Timing: will take another 2-3 years

6. Female Health Company US based company Introduction 1992, approved USFDA in 1993 Production started in 1996 In 2007: sole manufacturer for donor and UN agencies Production increased 10x times since 1996 Production in 2005: 22 million female condoms (12 million for developing countries) Available in 108 countries

7. Buyers of the female condom In 2004 2,3 million by UNFPA 2 million bought by USAID 1,6 million by DFID Rest donors: KfW and DANIDA Governments of Brazil, South Africa, Zimbabwe, France, Kenya Private sector/NGO: PSI, DKT, IPPF and MSI Private sector/ shops (P. Friel, 2005)

8. Global consultations 1993 “Potential Role of the Female Condom in International AIDS Prevention”, AIDSCAP 1997 “The Female Condom: From Research to Marketplace” AIDSCAP 2001 “Technical Update on the Female Condom” FHI 2004 Expert meeting on female condom GCM/GCWA 2005 Global Consultation on Female Condoms (Baltimore)

9. Same barriers discussed - stereotypes on women and sexuality - pre-conceived ideas - costs - lack of funding and funders - provider resistance

10. Acceptibility No static fact Studies indicate high acceptability rate Acceptability influenced by: - individual factors – insertion skills and practice - male partners - environment

11. Potential of female condom Female Condom is: + effective contraceptive + protects against STIs, including HIV + women-initiated + available NOW = a real addition to method mix

12. Potential of female condom Female condom important in context of: high maternal mortality rate feminisation of HIV/AIDS limited choice infection-prevention methods high cost and limited availability AIDS treatment

14. Female Condom Consortium: Tackle the Challenges Five partners: - Oxfam Novib - World Population Foundation - Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs - JIPPY Foundation - IDA Solutions

15. Plans Female Condom Consortium R&D: cheaper female condom Country programme Knowledge centre

16. Research & Development Female Condom Consortium: development of cheaper product Latex Timing FCC: May 2008 to be on the market Quality assurance: international (WHO)

17. Country programme Nigeria: 3 selected states Malawi National Advisory Board set up Main actors: Civil society: IEC, distribution Government and UN: advocacy, support IEC and distribution, financing Private sector: subsidised distribution and promotion, sale at affordable price

18. Country programme Main areas: -Registration: national (NAFDAC) -Procurement, Logistics, Importation, Distribution -Marketing and Sales -Monitoring & Evaluation

19. Knowledge centre Data base Disseminate results country implementation Advocacy Enhance collaboration and cooperation Working for professionals in the field, donor community and policymakers

20. What difference RHSC make? Positive Advocacy for the female condom, not ridicule it! Support ongoing and further R&D Funding

21. Thank you! Questions, remarks, comments: y.bogaarts@wpf.org