WOMEN URGED TO USE CONDOM AGAINST STDS
By Hammed Shittu

April 2, 2004 – (This Day - Lagos) Deputy Governor of Osun State, Erelu Olusola Obada has said that the recent introduction of female condom would protect women against being infected with the deadly HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Obada disclosed this at Ilesa, during the official launching of female condom in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

She said that, "if the female condom is effectively used by our women there will be a great decline in sexually transmitted diseases."

Obada added that over 50 per cent of those infected with HIV/AIDS in the country are women, because "the dreaded disease is fast becoming a woman's problem".

She noted that "the infection rate of HIV/AIDS is rising in our society and woman and vulnerable to the deadly disease.

"We have a ray of hope with the introduction of female condom as it would also assist women to space their children and protect them from the scourge of HIV/AIDs and STDs".

She however called on Nigeria to champion the campaign for the use of female condom in view of its importance and benefit to individuals.

from: http://allafrica.com/stories/200404020063.html