Why Our Work Matters
Concerted education and advocacy efforts are critical to increasing access to existing female condoms on the market, as well as advancing research, development, and approval of new receptive partner initiated barrier methods, whether worn vaginally or anally. Female condoms are currently the only receptive partner initiated tool that reduces a person’s risk of HIV, STIs, and unplanned pregnancy. They enable individuals to take greater control of their sexual health. Despite their effectiveness and the widening field of receptive partner controlled barrier methods, awareness of and access to these products in the U.S. and around the world remains limited.
Who We Are
The National Female Condom Coalition (NFCC) is a partnership of U.S. and U.S.-based advocates, researchers, health departments, community-based and national organizations that advances a mission to increase awareness, acceptance, access, and use of female condoms.
The AIDS Foundation of Chicago is the NFCC Secretariat, responsible for coalition coordination, support, and fiscal management. Members participate in the NFCC through committing their energy, time, and expertise with their own resources. Endorsers participate in the NFCC through lending their individual, organizational, coalition, or public sector agency support of the NFCC mission. Learn more about being a member or an endorser. Learn more about the NFCC structure by reading our Terms of Reference.
Female Condom Programs
Female condom programs exist throughout the United States, and serve as local points of advocacy, training, and community organizing. These programs are the result of dedicated advocates within health departments, non-profit organizations and others committed to advancing the NFCC mission.
Through partners CHANGE, PATH, and the Universal Access for Female Condoms (UAFC) Joint Programme, the NFCC is also part of a global advocacy movement for female condoms.
What We Do
The NFCC advances a coordinated national agenda that includes advocating for:
- Full integration of female condoms into sexual health, HIV prevention, and family planning programs in the public, private, and non-profit sectors.
- Programming and policies to scale up female condom awareness, acceptance, access, and use.
- Research, development, and approval of receptive-partner initiated barrier methods that can be worn vaginally or anally.
We facilitate the exchange of successful program practices and advocacy strategies through peer-to-peer programmatic support. While we maintain a focus on receptive partner initiated barrier methods for vaginal and/or anal use, we also support the research, development, and delivery of existing and emerging HIV, STI, and pregnancy prevention options.