| Condom
Day 2002
"LET'S USE CONDOMS - IT'S OUR
RESPONSIBILITY"
22 OCTOBER 2002,
KATHMANDU - Two major threats the
present world is facing today are
rapid population growth and the spread
of HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted
diseases (STD). Even Nepal's most
remote villages are not immune from
the pressures of population growth
and the ravage of these diseases.
Throughout the country, a growing
population is exerting tremendous
pressure on limited natural resources,
and recent studies show that HIV/AIDS
is gaining ground. Increased Condom
use can help to slow population growth
and prevent the transmission of some
diseases.
Condom Day was initiated
eight years ago by the Nepal Red Cross
Society with assistance from the Center
for Development and Population Activities
(CEDPA) and the support of the U.S.
Agency for International Development
(USAID). Over the years, Condom Day
has become a nationwide event and
has expanded to many communities throughout
Nepal. During the first year in 1995,
it was celebrated in 33 districts
and over 50,000 people either participated
in Condom Day events or received messages
as a result of the events. In the
seventh year in 2001, the event was
organized nationwide and an estimated
350,000 people were reached with the
messages about the importance of using
condoms for birth spacing and disease
prevention. Some districts with leadership
from the local government bodies have
also started to organize Condom week.
Condom Day focuses
on creating awareness at a community
level to make people understand the
importance of using condoms. The theme
for this year's Condom Day is "Let's
use condoms, it's our responsibility."
Entertainment and
education are combined together to
make Condom Day more interesting for
anyone who participates in the events.
Each year, people are engaged throughout
the country in rallies, races, contests,
street drama, puppet shows, games
and dances to educate about Condom
use and its benefits.
More than 60 organizations
including government agencies, private
and non-governmental organizations
and the media participate in staging
Condom Day in collaboration with community-based
organizations and individuals from
across the country. Condom Day is
expected to be organized nationwide
this year also.
This year
Condom Day was on October 26, 2002
Prepared by
Nepal Red Cross Society
Nepal Red Cross
Society has been actively involved
in the relief assistance to the people
affected by the recent landslides
and flash floods in Nepal. In this
connection, Nepal Red Cross Society
has dispatched 220 sets of tarpaulin
and 153 sets of kitchen utensils by
the helicopter of the Royal Nepal
Army for the relief of landslide victims
of Makawanpur district today. In addition
to it, relief materials for 900 families
have been dispatched from the central
warehouse by road.
Nepal Red Cross Society has already
distributed relief materials worth
Rs. 8,119,475 to 3,569 families in
the recent disasters. It includes
75 families in Khotang, 100 in Morang,
130 in Siraha, 73 in Sunsari, 137
in Mahottari, 100 in Kabhrepalanchok,
60 in Bhaktapur, 740 in Dhanusha,
1160 in Makawanpur, 675 in Chitwan,
30 in Parsa, 10 in Lamjung, 10 in
Kaski, 19 in Syangja and 250 families
in Nawalparasi district.
In addition to this,
local bodies of Nepal Reed Cross Society
District Chapters, Sub-Chapters and
Youth and Junior Circles are also
actively involved in relief works
at local level.
Bijay Dahal
Communication Officer
31 July, 2002
For detail, call:
Bijay Dahal,
Phone No. 270 650, 270 167.
Disaster
Management Department,
Nepal Red Cross Society,
Phone No. 270 650, 270 167. |
