While the Smriti Irani-led Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued a circular banning condom ads from being played on television between 6 am and 10 pm, here's another slightly frightening state that could make a case for increased condom awareness — only 37% of men and 22% of women used condoms when having high-risk sex and more than one third of the students surveyed had an accurate idea of what HIV or Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) were. And that stat was put out by NACO (National AIDS Control Organisation) which is run by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
In fact, in their National Strategic Plan for HIV/AIDS and STI 2017-2024 report, it has been mentioned that condom awareness was a big part of reducing STD transmission and HIV because most of them were having unprotected sex. Here are a few excerpts:
— Adolescents constitute 22% of India's total population
— An analysis of HIV counselling and testing data under NACP for 2016 has indicated that 24% of all newly detected HIV infections were among young people in the age group of 15-24 years
— In even younger age groups, adolescents between 10-13 years use a style of reasoning focusing on the present, without considering the consequences of risky behaviour
— It is a growing and learning phase where peer pressure acts synergistically with 'risk-seeking behaviour' leading to casual sex, unsafe sex, experimentation with sexuality and substance use, potentially resulting in increased exposure to the risk of HIV transmission
— With information technology changing the landscape for adolescents in India, the enhanced need for Adolescent Education Programmes within the national programme further increases
The advisory from Amit Batoch, Director (BC) goes on to cite that it was in contravention of Rule 7 (7) ot the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994 which specifically states that "No advertisement which endangers the safety of children or create in them any interest in unhealthy practices or shows them begging or in an undignified or indecent manner shall not be carried in the cable service' and Rule 7 (8) of the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994 which specifically states that "lndecent, vulgar, suggestive, repulsive or offensive themes or treatment shall be avoided in all advertisements'"
This brings about the inference that condom ads, most of which indicate or allude to some form of sexual intercourse, are 'creating an interest in an unhealthy practice'. This appears to be a far cry from the condom awareness programmes that NACO has been running across the country and documenting in their condom awareness newsletter ' Condom Communication' that was being uploaded on the NACO website till December 2014.
