Mumbai sex workers get female condoms

In an awareness drive aimed at sex workers, the non-governmental organisation Population Services International has launched a female condom, 'Rishtaa'.

The condom is made of polyurethane and designed to fit the female body, Dr Shilpa Merchant, national HIV/AIDS coordinator, PSI, said during it launch in Mumbai on Wednesday evening.

Some sex workers were also shown a movie on how to use it.

"Working closely with sex workers, we realised that many a time the client refuses to wear a condom and the female condom provides women with an additional choice to protect themselves from both unintended pregnancy as well as the transmission of STDs including HIV/AIDS," Merchant said.

Arundati Muralidharan of PSI, who is spearheading the female condom activity within the community, said, "The female condom is a female-initiated method and is an important tool for women."

"The initial phase of the product's awareness campaign includes free distribution of the condom for a period of two months and will made possible through PSI's fieldworkers," Muralidharan said.

The condom will be sold at Rs 2 per piece, she added.