"Put a Ring on It"

Last month, organizations promoting HIV/AIDS awareness, reproductive rights, women's health, and gay men's health banded together to launch the Chicago Female Condom Campaign. Planned Parenthood of Illinois is proud to be a member of this coalition of organizations working to promote the use of the new-and-improved female condom by both women and men.

Why is the female condom important?

The female condom gives power to the receptive partner, because it is the only barrier contraceptive that allows both women and men maintain control of their health, by preventing unintended pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV.

This contraceptive option is exceedingly necessary here in Chicago, where the rate of STIs is on the rise. The state reported that Cook County ranks first, second, and third nationwide for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis, respectively, and approximately 1,500 new HIV cases were reported in 2008.

“Female condoms provide a sense of power for women because they are able to choose to protect themselves. You don’t need to leave it to the guy,” said Dolores Benton, female condom enthusiast, and case manager for the Pediatric AIDS Chicago Prevention Initiative, a member organization of the campaign. “It’s not difficult to put it in. It’s a piece of cake.”

Want to become a fan of the campaign on Facebook?

Or follow the campaign on Twitter?

Read more on the Chicago Female Condom Campaign on their website.

Also, a must-read article by Serra Sippel about the need for increased funding for male and female condoms as a component of US Foreign Policy.

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