It’s safe to use condom

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria invites everyone to join the movement this International Condom Day (ICD) to celebrate condoms and discover fun, creative ways to promote condom use – a simple yet powerful way to stay safer. International Condom Day is celebrated annually on February 13, the day before Valentine’s Day. It’s a day to remind people of the importance of safe sex practices.

This year, AHF Nigeria will commemorate ICD at Lokoja, the capital city of Kogi state on February 13 with exciting activities, free condom distribution, and engaging education on condom use.

Despite more than 1 million STIs being acquired daily worldwide, according to the World Health Organization, condom use is declining in many parts of the world. Ending HIV/AIDS must include prioritizing the prevention of new HIV cases – a goal that cannot be achieved without promoting condoms as an essential tool.

To address this, AHF Nigeria’s ICD event will include a road walk involving students of higher institutions and members of the civil society in Kogi, including the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport worker (NURTW) with government officials from the state Ministry of Health and the State Agency fot the Control of AIDS amongst others.

There will be free distribution of AHF branded condoms (Love & Icon) as we match from the Kogi state Ministry of Health through the Post Office, all the way to the Ganaja bridge, through the Specialist Hospital and terminates at the Federal University Lokoja.

Across the six other AHF Nigeria states (Abuja-FCT, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Cross River and Nasarawa), testing campaign shall take place with free condom distribution while youths from Kogi, Abuja, Benue, Cross River and Nasarawa are participating in a video challenge to promote safe sex.

“We’re reminding everyone that using condoms is the best way to prevent HIV, other STIs, and unplanned pregnancies. AHF created this day to promote safer sex and make condoms accessible for all. When used correctly, condoms are proven to be effective protection for you and your partner. So, no excuses—wrap it up every time”, said Dr. Echey Ijezie, AHF Nigeria Country Program Director.

“Condoms are the most cost-effective method of protecting against HIV and other STIs, yet many Africans lack access due to barriers such as stockouts, unaffordable prices, and high taxation,” said Dr. Penninah Iutung, AHF Africa Bureau Chief. “Additionally, labelling condoms as medical devices, further increases cost and reduces their affordability. This International Condom Day, we call on governments and stakeholders to remove these barriers, prioritize funding, and ensure free or affordable condoms are accessible to all who need them.”

Observed annually on February 13, International Condom Day brings awareness about the importance of condoms and other vital sexual health issues. On ICD and beyond, we remind everyone that condoms are safer, sexy, and your best protection against HIV, other STIs, and unplanned pregnancies.

Visit LOVEcondoms.org to learn more.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is a global non-profit organization providing cutting-edge medicine and advocacy to more than 2 million people in 48 countries worldwide in Africa, the Americas, the Asia/Pacific Region, and Europe. We are currently the largest non-profit provider of HIV/AIDS medical care in the world. To learn more about AHF, please visit our website: www.aidshealth.org, find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/aidshealth and follow us on Twitter: @aidshealthcare and Instagram: @aidshealthcare.