In commemoration of International Condom and Valentine’s Days, stakeholders have called for consistent use of contraceptives against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancies.
They spoke at an event organised by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) and others, including National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Education as a Vaccine, Association of Positive Youths (APYIN) and Society for Family Health.
International Condom Day (ICD), which is celebrated every February 14 in conjunction with Valentine’s Day, has its 2023 theme as: “Always in Fashion.”The celebration seeks to remind the public that condoms remain veritable means of STIs, Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) and unplanned pregnancies.
AHF Nigeria Country Programme Director, Dr. Echey Ijezie, concertised the theme and what the yearly event stands for.
To Assistant Director, NACA, Dr Einne Okey-Uchendu, ICD was set aside to create awareness on correct and consistent use of condoms among young people, who cannot abstain from sexual activities to protect themselves against STIs.
Director of Advocacy and Marketing for Africa Bureau, AHF, Oluwkemi Gbadamosi, observed that ICD was an innovative way of promoting safer sex awareness and importance of condom use.
Programme Assistant, Education as a Vaccine, Edoko Philips, said the celebration to engage young people in a fun and lively way, to ensure the message of practising safe sex was promoted.
