Now You Can Order Condoms For Free From India’s First Free Condom Store

Condoms are a necessity in today’s time when the population is constantly growing, HIV can only be saved through it and anti-abortion laws are government’s new favourite to pinch on (thankfully not in our country). However, there’s still a lot of stigma around the very same, among people. A large part of this depends on the mentality, believe it or not, there are still some who choose to have unsafe sex, just to save themselves from the shame of buying a condom.

That’s going to change now. The need of safe sex and condom is on the rise, due to which a global charity on Wednesday launched a unique, free condom store in India. The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) called the initiative one of its kind.

Through this, one would be able to place an order for condoms by phone or email to get a supply delivered to their house.

2.1 Million people are infected with HIV in India and this makes the country the third highest HIV cases in the world. However, as per United Nations, the count of infection is falling.

The cost of a condom is already cheap in our country, however, it’s the social taboo that limits its use in our society. From sex workers to other vulnerable groups, everyone can be benefitted a lot from the initiative. The government also distributes free-of-cost condoms at its health centres, however, the quality is said to be poor and the stocks are often unavailable which makes it tough for someone in need.

Terry Ford, Chief of Global Advocacy and policy at AHF, told AFP that the funding of condom is very bad and it’s being cut, around the world. She also said, “Condoms are the cheapest and the best way to prevent HIV infection so we were very upset about it (funding cuts).”

Last month, HIV/AIDS (Prevention and Control) bill was finally passed by the parliament, 15 years after its introduction in the legislature. The bill plans to safeguard the rights of the sufferers and protect them from any kind of discrimination. However, it took 15 years for a bill to be passed and Ford blamed the “slow bureaucracy” for actually killing the people.

There’s no doubt that an initiative like this is going to do wonders for our society, however, now we need the very information of its existence, to reach the people. Dr V Sam Prasad, AHF programme director for India, told DNA, that they are encouraging organisations and individuals to send in a request of minimum one box, which carries 144 pieces, and the delivery of it would be made within a week to any major city in India.

To Place an order:
Request can be made on toll-free number 1800 102 8102 or via an email to freecondomstoreahf@gmail.com

27th April 2017
Jyotsna Amla