Glamour farewell party planned for female condom paper dolls

Glamour farewell party planned for female condom paper dolls

For immediate release

It has been a campaign with a twist but YWCA of Aotearoa New Zealand and Positive Women Inc. NZ say their involvement in the International Paper Dolls Campaign that raises awareness of female condoms has been a ‘huge success’.

The campaign, which is now coming to an end, illustrates the growing, world-wide demand for female condoms by creating massive chains of paper dolls, each one with a personal message that reflects people’s thoughts on female condoms. The message has been going throughout New Zealand with regional workshops that are interactive, informative and inspiring. Through games, hands on training and exposure of the female condom, young and old alike are becoming educated. Young women, health promoters, women’s organisations, local politicians and media are all being exposed to female condoms.

“The campaign has highlighted the urgency to those at the UN, governments and decision making positions that right now, less than 1% of all condoms distributed globally are female condoms, “says Jane Bruning of Positive Women NZ Inc.

New Zealand has rising rates of STI and HIV infection and the highest teenage pregnancy rate in the OECD. “We believe it’s important to promote choices and raise awareness of the need to promote greater investment by governments in the female condom. The International Paper Doll campaign has been a great way to do this,” says Sarah Davies of the YWCA.

One of the exciting outcomes of the workshops are the messages women are writing on their Paper Dolls. “We want female condoms,” “make female condoms affordable to everyone,” are just some of the reflections being made throughout New Zealand.

The female condom is the only female-initiated prevention method that provides protection against both pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. Studies report a high satisfaction rate by both women and men who have used the female condom

To celebrate the end of the campaign, a farewell party for the Paper Dolls who head back to Europe, will be held at M.A.C Britomart, Atrium on Takutai, in Auckland on 19th October, 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Both organisations however are still keen to promote the female condom. “Our work won’t stop here. It has just started. If there are ways that as New Zealanders we can contribute to global investment and awareness of female condoms then we shall assist,” says Bruning.
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