Volunteers Push Female Condom for National Condom Week

During National Condom Week, Planned Parenthood Action Team members in Chicago participated in a training to become Female Condom Advocates. Action Team members received an education session from a Planned Parenthood of Illinois Community Educator about Female Condoms- an effective barrier method of contraception that protects against unintended pregnancy and STIs.

Volunteers were pleasantly surprised to learn that the design of the Female Condom provides additional STI protection by reducing skin to skin contact between partners. PPIL’s Educator taught volunteers the proper way to correctly and consistently use Female Condoms (FC2s) while highlighting that this is an effective prevention method for any receptive partner regardless of gender.

Action Team members learned more than just the medical facts. Female Condoms are an effective method of contraception, but they can also be sexy! FC2s are made from nitrile, a material that conducts heat and adjusts to the body of the receptive partner. Nitrile makes FC2s hypoallergenic and a great option for individuals who need to avoid latex. The inner and outer rings of FC2s have also been said to increase stimulation for both partners.

Volunteers were able to put this new FC2 knowledge into action right away. They created photo petitions in support of Female Condoms and the Chicago Female Condom Campaign. Action Team members shared messages like “Safe Sex is Sexy” and “I love Female Condoms because they are queer friendly and good for all genders.” Protecting oneself and having options for this protection were clearly important to our volunteers.

And the fun didn’t stop there! Action Team members were trained on how to advocate for Chicago pharmacies to carry FC2s. Volunteers hit the pavement and checked their local pharmacy shelves for FC2s. They dropped off Valentine’s to the pharmacists and asked them to begin carrying FC2s. They celebrated and showed appreciation to the pharmacies that already have FC2s available. In one week, nine volunteers took action at 31 Chicago pharmacies!

The Planned Parenthood Action Team is a grassroots group of individuals who stand with Planned Parenthood and work with us to make sure every individual has the rights, the knowledge, and the access to healthcare they need to make their own reproductive choices.

Are you interested in taking action with us? There are active Action Teams in Chicago, Peoria, and Bloomington. Apply online today!

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This post was created by Planned Parenthood Illinois Action (PPIA). PPIA is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood of Illinois (PPIL).

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