Worldwide millions of people die each year due to HIV/AIDS. Numerous people acquire this deadly infection due to unprotected sex. The use of condoms prevents the transmission of HIV and other STDs transmitted during sex.

The United Nations Development Programme has called for better accessibility of condoms in Papua New Guinea.

The report has been developed taking views from several women across the Philippines and Papua New Guinea. It evaluated how well Millenium Development Goal 3 is being achieved in order to eliminate gender discrimination and empower women in fighting HIV, malaria and other diseases.

The findings of the report concluded that condoms are still considered to be the most effective way of preventing the transmission of HIV in PNG.

The UNDP’s resident representative pointed out that the distribution of condoms is still a major problem although there is no shortage of supply.

David McLachlan-Karr says, “Male condoms have been proven to be more effective in actually prevention but the lack of access and availability of female condoms basically denies women certain options to control sexual relations with partners”.