New Delhi, AHF promoted the Condom awareness at different places in Delhi like Madanpur Khader Phase - III, J.J Colony, Near Jait Pur Police Station, New Delhi, Ajmeri gate at Dr. Zakir hussain hostel near police booth at GB Road, & Khayala Road, Raghubir Nagar. At these locations AHF organised condom demo sessions, HIV/AIDS testing, counseling, Rally for Awareness & Condom Promotion, magic shows, puppet shows, quizzes and street plays to educate and spread awareness to the masses.

Traditionally condoms have been marketed for preventing STIs or unwanted pregnancies but now AHF promoted a new concept that if you love yourself and lf you love your partner then condom has to be the integrated part of all sexual activities.

Ms. Terri Ford, Senior Director of Global Policy/Advocacy, AIDS Healthcare Foundation USA said, "To achieve Global AIDS Control an aggressive re-integration of condoms is critical to success. The LOVE Condoms Campaign goal is to scale-up to 100% access to free condoms worldwide. The time is now to call for CONDOMS to be brought back to the forefront of HIV prevention. Valentine Weekend is the perfect time to reinforce the message of "Love yourself, Love your Partner."

Dr. Abul Kalam Azad, Executive Assistant- AHF Asia Pacific said "Until now, the condom remains one of the most effective and affordable ways to protect one from HIV/AIDS - which is critical to stem the tide of new HIV infections. At the same time, use of condom not only prevents unwanted pregnancies, it safeguards sexual rights. Condoms provided by us are in colorful and attractive packs. So we are trying to address such misconceptions related with pleasure and free distribution by making condom an attractive and popular product"

Mr. Muhammad Dilshad, AHF INDIA CARES Testing Coordinator said, "Almost 40% of Indians are younger than 15 years of age, 70% of the people live in villages, and the remainder in towns and cities. HIV is a huge threat to younger population especially and to other strata of population as well who are unaware of HIV. Condoms can prevent further and unintentional transmission of Virus. LOVE condom campaign is to scratch the need and advocacy for condoms for these strata of population and to sensitize them for taking responsibility of their sexual behavior by protecting themselves and their partners."

He further said, "Since we are an NGO with limited resources and can not reach everywhere, we tried to focus such areas where we can reach to maximum people. We tried to focus on High Risk Group as well as the general population. But no doubt we all will have to focus all strata of population to halt HIV epidemic. However condom usage has increased over a period of time but still there are some people who because of certain misconceptions do not use. Some of these misconceptions are like that free condoms are of low quality and reduces pleasure, so to address such issues and to reach out those people who probably still not using condoms."

Notes to Editor

ABOUT AHF and INDIA CARES

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is the US largest non-profit HIV/AIDS healthcare provider. AHF currently provides medical care and services to more than 127,000 individuals in 22 countries worldwide in Africa, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and Europe including US.

In India, AHF-India Cares, established under the aegis of AIDS Healthcare Foundation in 2004 is a not for profit Trust dedicated to carry forward the mission to save lives and provide free HIV treatment care and support, prevention, awareness and advocacy.