MIKE BAXTER

H-16, SITE, KARACHI, 75700 + Phone / Fax (Personal) : - 92-21-257-6996

SUB : THE CONDOM TABOO

The government has gone all out in educating and motivating people to have a planned parenthood. There are infomercials on television, there are numerous seminars and conferences, and there are routine sermons from the concerned Minister regarding the utmost need to control population.

At the same time, the government has encouraged the availability of contraceptives to the populace. Recently, there has been a barrage of publicity for TOUCH, which is available at an affordable price of three for Rs five only. Previously, SAATHI was sold at a much cheaper price. Moreover, the chemist shops carry a large variety of imported contraceptives which are over-the-counter items.

However, what is ironic is that on the one hand, the government is talking a lot about family planning while on the other hand, the condom suppliers cannot use the word "condom". So much so, there is NO word for condom in the Urdu lexicon. The present suppliers of TOUCH condom have to do the NIKE syndrome where that famous shoe company now only uses its symbol because it is universally known. The TOUCH advertisement can be misconstrued for a talcum powder or a toilet bowl disinfectant, if one is just glancing at it.

The affordable condoms are being marketed in Pakistan by a NGO called PSI, and even though they are specialists in social marketing, they have to sell the product, encourage family planning, and justify their presence, all without using the word "condom".

A lady complained to the Prime Minister during his telephonic sessions with the people earlier in his term, that the publicity on family planning and contraceptives is "corrupting" the minds of children. Presto ! the advertisements were stopped immediately. One unnamed woman was successful in slaughtering the campaign which is imperative for the future survival of the country. Maybe FPCCI, etc should hire this woman for effective lobbying with the government functionaries.

Moreover, with AIDS gaining menacing proportions, and with the archaic attitude of non acceptance of homosexuality in the official media, there is a crucial need to mobilize public opinion on the use of condoms and other contraceptives. A major labor leader once complained that his greatest worry is the proliferation of homosexuality among the migrant workforce in Karachi. There are many sailors arriving in the ports of Karachi, and there have been many recorded and undisclosed cases of AIDS among the seamen. Moreover, the visits by Khepias (couriers) to Bangkok has also introduced the element of HIV positive among them.

It is high time the government starts calling a spade a spade and encourage the use of condoms and other contraceptives openly, with candid massive publicity, and with the cooperation of not only the NGOs but also the industrial community which employs millions of workers. If TOUCH or SAATHI are condoms, they should be called condoms. The condom taboo must be shattered. A condom, after all, is not the only avenue for promiscuity, is it ?

Sincerely :