Youth sensitized on condom use to avoid Sexually Transmitted Diseases, unplanned pregnancies

On February 13, 2024, Rwanda joined the world to celebrate the international condom day with the theme, “Access, Empowerment and Education” where another voice was raised to caution the public on the existing prevalence of STDS and other challenges that result from unprotected sex.

With prevalence of 3%, Rwanda has made commendable progress in reducing HIV transmission and improving lives of people living with HIV.

Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), Rwanda NGO’s Forum on AIDS and Health Promotion (RNGOF) and other partners in HIV prevention shed light on different strategies put in place to eliminate the risks from unprotected sex including awareness on safe condom usage and distribution.

According to Nooliet Kabanyana, the Executive Secretary of RNGOF, mobilizing the youth to use condom is different from promoting sexual activities as many people perceive, yet it is rescuing people from potential risks from unprotected sex. She said that when condom is used appropriately, it can protect transmission of STDs at 90%.

“Many people perceive that awareness on condom influences youth to involve in sex work which is not correct. The awareness helps to encourage those who are in sex work to realize benefits from use of condom in protecting their life and of their partners,” Kabanyana said.

Director for HIV prevention Unit at RBC, Dr Bazile Ikuzo said the government has put efforts on condom awareness through community outreach. Measures such as early screening, male circumcision and others are included in the campaigns as factors for prevention of risks.

“In the campaigns, we use different public figures, influencers, and the media to help us spread the message to the people. We hope their voice reaches far and can make impact because some people look up to them,” Ikuzo said during the event.

He further said that the Government has put a critical eye on risk categories including sex workers, homosexuals and children born to sex workers to safeguard their lives.

However, observers including, Kevine Uwase who works at Impanuro Girls Initiative raised concerns on people who feel ashamed of buying condoms due to lack of confidentiality among people.

“Sometimes people hesitate to buy condom fearing that the seller wouldn’t keep it confidential. For example, young people eventually fear buying a condom that the information will spread to many people including their parents while sex should be private business,” Uwase said.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), a partner in Rwanda’s health promotion pledged efforts in distributing condom dispensers and kiosks for availability and easy access of condoms in public places with large community of youth like at universities.