Condom campaign targets women under pressure

Condoms spoil the fun. Condoms are difficult to use. Condoms are not big enough. Condoms are not necessary because I'll be really careful.

All these, and more, are among the excuses that men make for not using a condom according to the organisers of National Condom Week which begins in Britain today.

They say that 16-24 year old women — the group most likely to ask for advice about sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia — often feel unable to say 'no' to unprotected sex — potentially putting their lives at risk and gambling with unplanned pregnancy.

OK girls, here are the facts, for those of you who still don't know, written by a man on a men's health website:

if he forces/bullies/cajoles/pesters you to do something sexual that you don't want to do, he doesn't love you.
He doesn't even care about you.
End of story.

Don't kid yourself you can make someone feel good about you by doing something that makes you feel bad about yourself.

None of these excuses are actually true. Condoms can actually improve sex by making it last longer and, to be honest, any bloke who can't put one on is probably going to be about as much use to you with his hands in bed as a dead man in boxing gloves. (Here's how to put one on, anyway)

Most blokes who say these things are just trying it on. It's the old hormones kicking in. He's not expecting any sensible woman to buy this guff. He just hasn't got any condoms on him and he's chancing his arm. Just say no, as the old clichÃ© goes.

Of course, women can help by carrying condoms too. So could condom manufacturers by looking at their prices and distribution.

One of the 'amazing' statistics Durex are releasing for the week is that 90% of under 24s say young people should be encouraged to have safer sex. Wow, that'll surprise the headline-writers! I'd like to meet the 10% who thought they should be encouraged to have unsafe sex. This sounds like those politicians saying they support safer communities. Who doesn't? The question is how to achieve it.

One of the statistics from the same survey that the company are not promoting is the answer to the question: 'what is the best way to raise awareness of safer sex?' The most popular response in the UK and throughout the world was - surprise, surprise - free condoms followed by better materials in schools.

So come on, Durex, we know you're offering money-off deals, special offers and competitions for the week but why not go one step further — just give the things away. If you're serious about reducing unsafe sex, put your money where your mouth - even if only for a week. (This unlikely to bankrupt the company - SSL International who make Durex boasted operating profits of 46.8 million pounds in 2005.)

National Condom Week, which is backed by leading sexual health charities including Brook, Marie Stopes International, the National AIDS Trust and Terrence Higgins Trust is being fronted by Liz McClarnon of Atomic Kitten.

Liz's message 'to all the smooth talkers out there' is 'your days are numbered!' It's not particularly relevant to our story but we just thought we'd mention it otherwise we've got no excuse to include the nice publicity shot at the top of the piece.

Now let's be honest, guys. Does anyone serious believe any of those excuses? Have you or any of your friends ever used any of them? If you don't always use a condom, why not? Let us know what you think about condoms and the campaign using the box below.