WASHINGTON, March 6 (UPI) -- Washington city officials say the planned distribution of free female condoms will focus on areas of the city with high HIV rates.
The plan, part of a larger project intended to fight HIV and AIDS, will make Washington the first U.S. city to offer female condoms for free, The Washington Post said Saturday.
The female condoms will be made available at locations such as high schools, beauty salons and convenience stores in city wards 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7.
Officials said the female condoms will allow women to have more control in protecting themselves from the spread of HIV and AIDS.
"Anywhere male condoms are available, female condoms will be available," Shannon Hader, head of the District of Columbia HIV/AIDS Administration, offered. "We're not saying that if you're a school in this area, you can't get female condoms. We're trying to make every effort count to build on what already exists ... to expand options rather than limit them."
The Post said the distribution portion of the project, funded by a MAC AIDS Fund grant, should begin with the next three weeks.
