The Female Condom: From Research to the Marketplace

Many women around the world have made it clear that they want the female condom. In acceptability studies and other types of introductory research, women and their partners have repeatedly said they would keep using the female condom if it were available. This overriding message emerged from the two-day working conference, "The Female Condom: From Research to the Marketplace," held May 1 and 2, 1997, in Arlington, VA. 

Section I of this report summarizes the most important information discussed through the seven focal points of inquiry. Section II synthesizes the major issues refined at the conference in the expert fair presentations and debates. Section III offers recommendations developed by the working groups in the seven focus areas and the three directional workshops. These recommendations target six audiences that can have an impact on expanding access to the female condom: policy makers; donors and the private sector; women's advocates; program planners; scientists in research and development; researchers in the field; and community organizations. In Section IV, six overall action steps are identified that can help accomplish the conference's primary goal: to expand accessibility of the female condom, advancing through the research lab to the marketplace.