The female condom: a guide for planning and programming

This guide, produced by the World Health Organization and UNAIDS, is intended to help design, implement and monitor programmes that incorporate the female condom in a range of different settings. It is aimed at programme managers in public and private sector health systems, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community-based organisations (CBOs) who are interested in developing or expanding programmes to include the female condom. The guide emphasises that, as a relatively new method, the way the female condom is introduced is essential to its acceptance by policy makers, programme managers, service providers, NGOs, CBOs and potential users.

Key areas covered include: the public health role of the female condom and the policy and strategy decisions that need to be considered; programme development and implementation, including lessons learned from existing projects; media message development and ideas for promotion of the female condom to potential users; and the role for NGOs and CBOs in the implementation of female condom programmes. Communication tools to assist with introducing and promoting use of the female condom are also provided, along with a section on the information needs of potential users, including how to use the female condom and frequently asked questions. [adapted from author]