In the traditional Hindu society of Nepal people are not open to talk about
sex, sexuality and reproductive health issues. Only behind closed doors women
would talk to each other about their contraceptives and reproductive rights.
Information about sex is mainly passed on among peers, prone to transmitting
wrong information and fostering superstition. Even though reproductive health
is included in the school curriculum of health and physical science, embarrassed
teachers skim over those subjects or only superficially deal with them.
Condoms were introduced and promoted in Nepal since 1978 as one of the family
planning devices. Even though they are available in health clinics, pharmaceutical
outlets and retail shops, the public awareness and use of condom is still low.
In a study conducted by the Swiss Red Cross’ supported ‘Community Eye Care and
Health Project’ of the Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) only 29% of the respondents
stated to have used a condom when last time having sex. (Annual Report 2008)The
main reason is the difficulty of wives to negotiate on condoms in the male dominated
society like Nepal. Another important barrier is the misconception that condoms
are to be used only for extramarital relationships. Thus purchasing and marketing
of condoms has not been an easy task in most areas of Nepal.
The origin of Condom Day
In 1993, during the tenure of the ‘Reproductive Health Project’, the NRCS staff
working in Udaipur district decided to hold an exclusive event on the condom,
in order to disseminate information of contraceptives in 5 districts. When organized
for the first time, people were shocked about the open discussion and display
of condoms. However, despite all personal hesitation and shyness, the local
people showed a huge interest to know more. Inspired by its success and in the
light of the growing HIV epidemic in Nepal, NRCS decided to launch this event
nation-wide. Since 1995, every first Saturday after the Hindu festival Dashain,
the time when family members and migrants from within Nepal and abroad return
to their homes for the holidays, is set as the National Condom Day. This special
event, originally targeting male and female community members for family planning
purposes, is meanwhile focusing on the importance of condoms in prevention of
HIV and AIDS. Thus the day is particularly designed to reach migrants, youth
and risk groups but also the general public.
Games and fun
Nowadays the celebrations not only involve the Nepal Red Cross, but all stakeholders
in the area of health and HIV prevention participate. National Condom Day is
used as a kick-off to many more events and campaigns throughout the month. The
Ministry of Health, Non-Government-Organizations, school children, positive
people, sex workers and other groups organize different activities allowing
people to learn more about HIV and AIDS, stigma, positive living, and reproductive
health issues in a playful way. Processions and rallies with people dressed
like condoms and carrying placards, puppet shows, street theatre, films around
the theme of HIV and AIDS, concerts, dances, fairs, posters and pamphlets, games
and competitions with packets of condoms as prizes, are attractive awareness
raising instruments.
Red Cross volunteers wearing special tags, caps and T-Shirts displaying the
years particular theme, are ready to answer questions during the events and
at special information stalls. The stalls at the border to India are open for
the whole month targeting the returning migrants from India before reaching
their home villages.
Breaking barriers and taboos
An estimated 2,500,000 people are directly reached every year through this
unique event and many more through media transmission. Whereas in the past parents
would forbid their children to be part of the celebrations, the participation
of young girls has increased every year. (Statistics of the National Centre
for AIDS and STDs Control, December 2008) Dealing with the sensitive issue of
condoms so openly has helped to break barriers even within generations. Due
to the enhanced awareness and publicity, also accessibility of condoms has improved.
A grocery shop keeper in Jumla reported that in the past he would insist that
the customers who asked for condoms disclose their marital status. “I refused
to sell condoms to unmarried persons. Now I have completely changed my attitude.
I am aware now that condoms protect lives from the deadly disease of HIV&AIDS,
so I do not care any more whether my customers are married or not. I just want
to save their lives.”
The increased condom promotion and awareness has also influenced the policy
level. Only in 2002 the National Guidelines for Family Planning Service stated
that adolescents, irrespective of their marital status, are granted access to
family planning services and free condoms. (Adolescent Youth and Reproductive
Health in Nepal, Status, Issues, Policies and Programmes, January 2003) Over
the years of observing Condom Day, discussing sex, sexuality and HIV and AIDS
openly in Nepal’s society has become much less a taboo.
*Bharat Rijal is the Senior Field Coordinator of the Swiss Red Cross in
Nepal. Contact: nrcs@nrcs.org
| Facts on HIV and AIDS in Nepal
According to the data of the National Centre for AIDS and STD control,
by December 2008 12’933 cases of HIV were reported, among which 2’151
persons are living with AIDS. 187 cases of HIV and 48 cases of AIDS were
newly registered in December. The second highest case detection rate is
among housewives, giving evidence that HIV has spread far beyond the traditional
risk groups of injecting drug users and clients of sex workers, and manifests
itself in the general population. Given the hidden nature of the problem,
the actual size of the infected population is likely to be considerably
larger. It is estimated that 72,000 of people of Nepal living with HIV
and AIDS. |
