'Condom use is sexy': Mexico City campaigners dish out rubbers ahead of Valentine's Day
A man wearing a costume, representing a condom, is seen at a metro station giving free condoms on the International Condoms Day, celebrated a day before Valentine Day, in Mexico City, Mexico, February 13, 2019. REUTERS/ Carlos Jasso
Residents in Mexico's sprawling capital were encouraged to play it safe on Valentine's Day, as 100,000 condoms were distributed across the city's metro stations on Thursday in the run up to the annual love fest.
Dozens of volunteers, some dressed as garish-coloured condoms, dished out packets of rubber protection across 24 metro stations as part of a campaign to prevent venereal diseases, rising HIV infections across Mexico and unwanted pregnancies.
A man wearing a condom costume gives out free condoms inside the metro on International Condoms Day, celebrated a day before Valentine Day, in Mexico City, Mexico, February 13, 2019. REUTERS/ Carlos Jasso
Celebrating 'International Condom Day' on Feb. 13, sexual safety campaigners from AIDS Health Foundation (AHF) organization launched their campaign using the "Condom use is sexy" tagline.
"Unfortunately, every year, because of shame or misinformation, people are infected with various diseases," said Miriam Ruiz, head of the AIDS Rapid Testing Area at AHF.
Only 15% of Mexican couples use condoms, according to AHF, and the organization wants to break the "taboo" around the use of condoms.
A man wearing a costume, representing a condom, is seen at a metro station, on the International Condoms Day, celebrated a day before Valentine Day, in Mexico City, Mexico, February 13, 2019. REUTERS/ Carlos Jasso
The campaign resonated with many residents in Mexico City, which is home to nearly 9 million people, with over 21 million in its greater metropolitan area.
"I use condoms, but the truth is that there is still a lot of machismo in Mexico and men do not want to use a condom," said 23-year-old student Manuela Zepeda.
"I tell men: if you want (sex), put it on," she added, while showing the female condom that she had just been given.
A man wearing a costume, representing a condom, is seen inside the metro car, on the International Condoms Day, celebrated a day before Valentine Day, in Mexico City, Mexico, February 13, 2019. REUTERS/ Carlos Jasso
Daily HIV infections increased to 44 from 33 per day between 2017 and 2018, according to Mexico's National Centre for the Prevention and Control of HIV and AIDS (Censida).
Lourdes Zamuro, a 63-year-old woman, took two strips.
"These condoms are for my grandchildren," she said in front of her smiling husband, Adrian Carrera, 65.
Members of an organization enter a metro station during an event organized by AIDS Healthcare Foundation for the International Condom Day, in Mexico City, Mexico Februrary 13, 2020. REUTERS/Andres Martinez Casares
"Things were different before. We can't stop them having sex. Better to inform them and help them."
(Writing by Drazen Jorgic; Editing by Sandra Maler)
Polo Gomez, also known as drag queen Yolanda la del Rio, from organization Condomovil A.C., gives out a free condom to a man during an event organized by AIDS Healthcare Foundation for the International Condom Day, outside a metro station in Mexico City, Mexico Februrary 13, 2020. REUTERS/Andres Martinez Casares Polo Gomez, also known as drag queen Yolanda la del Rio, from organization Condomovil A.C., gives out a free condom to a police officer during an event organized by AIDS Healthcare Foundation for the International Condom Day, outside a metro station in Mexico City, Mexico Februrary 13, 2020. REUTERS/Andres Martinez CasaresA member of an organization holds an inflated condom during an event organized by AIDS Healthcare Foundation for the International Condom Day, at a metro station in Mexico City, Mexico Februrary 13, 2020. REUTERS/Andres Martinez CasaresMembers of an organization give out free condoms during an event organized by AIDS Healthcare Foundation for the International Condom Day, at a metro station in Mexico City, Mexico Februrary 13, 2020. REUTERS/Andres Martinez CasaresA member of an organization gives out free condoms during an event organized by AIDS Healthcare Foundation for the International Condom Day, at a metro station in Mexico City, Mexico Februrary 13, 2020. REUTERS/Andres Martinez CasaresA man wearing a condom costume is seen inside the metro on International Condoms Day, celebrated a day before Valentine Day, in Mexico City, Mexico, February 13, 2019. REUTERS/ Carlos JassoA member of an organization holds a condom puppet during an event organized by AIDS Healthcare Foundation for the International Condom Day, in Mexico City, Mexico Februrary 13, 2020. REUTERS/Andres Martinez CasaresA member of an organization gives out free condoms during an event organized by AIDS Healthcare Foundation for the International Condom Day, at a metro station in Mexico City, Mexico Februrary 13, 2020. REUTERS/Andres Martinez CasaresPolo Gomez, also known as drag queen Yolanda la del Rio, from organization Condomovil A.C., poses for a selfie during an event organized by AIDS Healthcare Foundation for the International Condom Day, outside a metro station in Mexico City, Mexico Februrary 13, 2020. REUTERS/Andres Martinez CasaresA man wearing a condom costume gives out free condoms inside the metro on International Condoms Day, celebrated a day before Valentine Day, in Mexico City, Mexico, February 13, 2019. REUTERS/ Carlos JassoA man carries a condom costume inside the metro on International Condoms Day, celebrated a day before Valentine Day, in Mexico City, Mexico, February 13, 2019. REUTERS/ Carlos JassoA man carries a condom costume inside the metro on International Condoms Day, celebrated a day before Valentine Day, in Mexico City, Mexico, February 13, 2019. REUTERS/ Carlos JassoA passenger takes a photo of a man wearing a costume, representing a condom, inside a metro car, on the International Condoms Day, celebrated a day before Valentine Day, in Mexico City, Mexico, February 13, 2019. REUTERS/ Carlos JassoA woman receives a free condom from a member of an organization during an event organized by AIDS Healthcare Foundation for the International Condom Day, at a metro station in Mexico City, Mexico Februrary 13, 2020. REUTERS/Andres Martinez CasaresSENSITIVE MATERIAL. THIS IMAGE MAY OFFEND OR DISTURB Members of an organization explain how to wear a condom during an event organized by AIDS Healthcare Foundation for the International Condom Day, at a metro station in Mexico City, Mexico Februrary 13, 2020. REUTERS/Andres Martinez Casares
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