After two years of market research, Hindustan Latex Limited (HLL) is ready for a commercial launch of the female condom in India. It will be distributed under the brand name ‘Confidom’. The condom is manufactured in the U.K. by the Chicago-based Female Health Company (FHC). In addition, the FHC announced this week that it has received an order from the National AIDS Control Organization of the Government of India for over 500, 000 condoms. [Link, in PDF]
Research conducted by HLL last year indicated an interest in the product from commercial sex workers as well as from college girls [Link]. While HLL is eying the moolah in upper middle class spheres the Indian government is giving them a helping hand by working with NGOs to reach sex workers:
Positioned as a high-end lifestyle product targeted at the segment of women aged between 18 to 35 years, the product has been priced at Rs. 250 for a pack of two. It expects to sell five lakh units in the first year. Meanwhile, the government has already ordered about five lakh pieces to be distributed free through NGOs or at a subsidized price of Rs. 5 to sex workers. [Link]
Female condoms are unique because they give women simultaneous control over STD prevention and contraceptive technology. Their influence on HIV prevention programs dealing with sex workers, such as Kolkata’s Sonagachi Project, could be huge. While promoting HIV awareness in the Sonagachi brothels, public health scientist Smarajit Rana found some very basic obstacles preventing the use of male condoms:
It transpired that if a prostitute insisted on condom use, her customer just went to someone else. Unlike AIDS, starvation posed an immediate threat, and the program seemed doomed. “Counseling, educating–it just doesn’t work,” Jana states. “Higher up in the social hierarchy, people are able to act on the information given to them. Not so in the lower levels.” [Link]
Confidoms could drastically reduce such difficulties faced by sex workers but at Rs. 5 a pop I wonder how accessible this method really is to them. HLL is looking at negotiating a deal with the FHC that would allow them to manufacture the condoms domestically, which would lower the price, but no word of a definite agreement as yet. Lack of spermicide and a slightly tricky insertion procedure make the female condoms around 80% effective at pregnancy prevention, compared to 97% for a male condom with spermicide. However, the polyurethane sheaths have a lower risk of tearing or slipping off than male condoms and do not require an erect penis to operate. If sold at a lower price, they could provide an easily accessible alternative to oral contraception (because, for one, them things is hard to hide from unsupportive mummies and daddies) or laytex condoms (because of allergies). The benefit is also clear for younger, sexually active women who, for whatever reason, find themselves unable to say “No glove, no love!” to unedu-ma-cated romeos armed with a million excuses, “I can’t feel anything”, “My instrument is too massive”, “Oww!”, and so on. Here’s hoping the Confidoms do all this and more.
That’s BS. You can easily start a blog with the name “Cheap Ass Desi” and put a generic picture of a dollar bill up. And hence, a blog. I mean, if you combine all your comments from the past couple of days, you’d have a months worth of blog posts. And instead of thread jacking, you get to write what you want. Seriously though- it’s possible to do the anonymous blog.
For someone that just discovered blogs a couple of weeks ago, you sure comment on this blog alot. I’m just sayin’…
Huh:
Oh… ok. I like the idea of putting a dollar bill, that fits in real nicely with my name– Cheap Ass Desi. Very cute idea.
Hmm… I don’t know how to take this. You’re not dr. ruth, are you? (see #78). Or are you another Mutineer who’s trying to be cheeky and tell me that I should stop posting so many comments?
That’s probably exactly why I’ve written so many comments! I guess I had all these unspoken thoughts bundled up inside for years, and they were just crying to get out.
But if the suggestion of having a blog is a tactful and delicate way of telling me to stop posting so many comments, I’ll take the advice. If I am the pesky pebble in SM’s shoe, I’ll remove myself (sniffle sniffle). I’ll just write one more comment, and then that’s it.
I won’t start a blog though, if that suggestion is truly sincere. I don’t have the slightest idea about setting up webpages, websites, etc…. My use of the computer has been largely confined to: 1) writing papers and articles 2)connecting to the Internet 3) writing e-mails, reading the news, doing research. I only found out what a USB was a couple of months ago when I decided I should buy new laptop since my 8 year old Toshiba laptop– which had a floppy drive–was behind the times.
Hmmmm….famous non-fiction writer wisecracking female desi, well known across continents.
Shall we start taking guesses on who she could be?
3-D
Ok, this is the last comment, for real this time. I swear.
I AM NOT Kaavya, if that’s what you’re suggesting. All comments posted under my name “Cheap Ass Desi” are the fruit of my very own labor, sweat, and blood.
But wait, Kaavya “writes” (copies) fiction. Who are you referring to?
Heh – I wasn’t referring to Kaavya, just having a bit of fun, you say you’re intenationally famous and all that.
No no, no need for any apologies, all is completely fine. The comment I linked to was Anna appreciating one of my comments some weeks ago, hence the disclaimer of any payback being involved now. But maybe that was obscure.
I too, however, am now intensely curious about the real identity of our world famous, international woman of mystery…. 😉
Wow… I am so incredibly confused at the direction that this thread took. I thought it was all in jest, but I guess not…
Cheap Ass Desi (#98):
I understood what you were trying to do here, and I’ve noticed the same things about other threads; however, while it’s fine that you find the above comments (about women’s “cabooses”, figures, etc.) acceptable, there are people who don’t, and who are at the very least annoyed if not offended because it perpetuates certain physical standards which can lead to insecurity in those who don’t conform to these standards (or who, for whatever reason, don’t think they do). These standards of physical beauty are completely unbalanced when it comes to gender. There is waaaaaaaaaaay more material in popular culture in women’s faces constantly telling them how they’re supposed to look, what their measurements are supposed to be, etc., than there is for men. But this doesn’t mean that these standards don’t exist for men as well, and when a dude doesn’t measure up to these standards, this can cause insecurity as well. This is compounded by the fact that most men probably can’t tell you what the average penis size is anyway.
Granted, these body-related insecurities generally play themselves out quite differently with regard to gender.
Look, I’m all about calling people out on stupid/inane/messed up things they say because we can all change our minds. But why criticize/judge people based on physical attributes they can do nothing about? Is it really that empowering?
A N N A (#93):
Anna, I’m curious: what other sorts of comments on SM lead people to approach you all privately with their concerns?
Cheap Ass Desi: considering a significant portion of this discussion happened between Saturday night and Sunday morning, I wouldn’t commit just yet to a last last comment 🙂
never mind, now I understand: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO CHEAP ASS DESI, don’t go!
Can I ask a question please teacher?
Irrespective of what has transpired in this ‘ere thread, have any boys objected to its contents? I’m a bit short on time so haven’t studied it in depth (I’m referring to the thread) but I haven’t noticed any guys feeling uncomfortable with it (bar AMfD’s failure to rise to the occasion!) My point is – to the fellas – if we keep quiet and demonstrate we’re not bothered, no one will be able to complain the next time we decide to talk about tits and asses 😉 Ixnay on the omplaingcay!
(In all seriousness though, SO MUCH is made of the ‘misogynistic talk’ on SM. It’s such insane exaggeration. During my 9 months or so here, I’ve found it to be an immensely gender-equal place, meaning that both sides tend to respect the other.)
Hmm, I see that my previous debate with DD about “cabooses” and whatnot has been mentioned…..
For the benefit of new arrivals such as CAD and a couple of other commenters who may be unaware of some of the internal dynamics here on PP, I should mention that entire thread was intended in a surreal and purely-humorous manner, especially because she and I have never actually met each other and in real life I have absolutely no idea what she looks like, although she is apparently an attractive woman. That thread was therefore a stress-relieving light-hearted in-joke in its entirety, and bear in mind also that I did state there that — in the interests of fairness and equality — female participants were more than welcome to undertake a male-targetted version of the completely fake “measurement model” we were discussing there.
In fact, the joke is even more ironic considering my actual attitude towards women in relationship matters, as occasionally revealed on some of the more serious SM discussion threads and, most of all, on many of the 55s I have written, quite a few of which are semi-autobiographial in nature. Regular, long-term SM visitors (and the more astute amongst you) will already have realised this, and in fact I already know that a number of people here (eg. Kush Tandon, amongst others) figured all this out a long time ago.
It’s very important to look at the big picture and place comments by SM commenters within the broader context of both the discussion and their personalities. Understandably this will be difficult to do if one is relatively new to this blog, but it is worthwhile bearing in mind nevertheless.
Anna — Thank you as always for your kind words about my “writing style” — high praise coming from a professional blogger and (I believe) writer such as yourself 😉
Bong Breaker,
I personally didn’t find anything on this thread offensive at all, although I can see why some people of a more conservative nature may have felt uncomfortable about certain aspects of the conversation.
PS: I reckon “CAD” could be Meera Syal 😉
Big fan of your work if it really is you,
Ms SyalMrs Bhaskar — and thank you so much for the cultural awareness you and your team have raised amongst the wider British population as a result of GGM and your subsequent creations.On the other hand, she could be an Indian actress or former Miss World (or both), which leaves us with quite a number of potential candidates…..How many famous desi women are also well-known amongst the rest of the population in the geographical areas she mentioned ?
a little off topic, but seeing the name dr. ruth brought back memories.. where is she these days? i still remember her on the phil donohue show causing a riot.. i swear i saw her wonder twin eating in atlanta a few days ago… hmm… she reminds me of that other woman… sue johanson… weird how the ‘elderly’ ladies are giving all the tips and such..it’s pretty humorous to say the least… 🙂
Really? Should it matter? Isn’t it all about the voice and your opinion? Here of all places people don’t care if you are the Prez or the Pope. Be anon and state your POV. If you feel the need to state that you are something larger I can’t help but question the purpose of that revelation.
What? Seriously? Are people really that insecure/shallow/prudish? I mean for petes sake isn’t the ‘discussions of all things unspoken’ all about being a Mutiny? Either I missed something or this thread took a rotten turn with people feeling the need to be bothered by some being humorous and others like CAD taking this way too seriously. I could be mistaken. Lighten up peeps…
JOAT – before looking too hard for deeper purposes, I’d first look here (about to go out for the evening), here (3:33am), and here (deeply insightful observation about time span of this conversation).
Sigh. Human beings can be such predictably flawed creations sometimes…. 😉
Hehehe. DD you are APPARENTLY attractive. Just like I’m APPARENTLY muscle-bound and ruggedly handsome.
Hey Jai, you’ve done it a few times before – but don’t feel it necessary to explain any comments you’ve made or provide context etc etc. There are some people who just love to get offended. If they’ve taken something you’ve said the wrong way, fuck ’em. I can’t be arsed to keep explaining things I’ve said and I don’t really care if I come across as a pompous sexist burping jackass. The people whose opinions I care about on here know what I mean, that’s good enough for me.
Remember it’s just a matter of time before someone says “Hmph, why aren’t men’s legs or asses ever the topic of discussion on here? Such a woman-unfriendly place!” The phrase appears on a regular basis, probably linked to the phases of the moon.
Oi! Don’t bait!
If I didn’t hold the respect that I do for 99.9678% of BB’s comments, I would pro’lly take the bait!
Obvious typo: Should say “…..here on SM“
Bong Breaker,
Thanks for your message. I know what you mean, but since I aim to be a polite kinda guy I thought I should clarify the context of that thread for the benefit of those who aren’t aware of the history behind it. And with regards to DD, I just used the word “apparently” since I only have other people’s word for it and have no direct experience of her, although I don’t doubt the legendary accounts of her Helen of Troy-ish hotness which some of you guys have occasionally mentioned.
I agree. Such comments occur here on a fairly regular basis.
Anyway, in the interests of fairness and in order to re-dress the balance…..
fanfare , ie. Battlestar Galactica theme tune (the original 70s version)
Let me announce the all-new Sepia Mutiny Torpedo Calibre-Estimation Model 2006.
Just for the ladies.
5 (Highest) – Holy crap. There are 747s smaller than that monster. 4 – “INCOMING !!!” 3 – We’ll have to nickname the lucky lady Goldilocks (think about it). 2 – Just about enough to keep her a happy bunny. 1 (Lowest) – “Er, is it in yet ?”
It took me less than 30 seconds to think this bukwaas/nonsense up. Never let it be said that I do not believe in Equal Opportunities Badmaashi 😉
Last, last, last comment:
Janeofalltrades
You’re reading too, too, much into this. It was a joke. Jeez.
Er…I wasn’t taking “this way too seriously”. If anything, apparently I wasn’t being serious enough! Anna said that I shouldn’t have made certain comments, and so I addressed her.
Janeofalltrades, I suggest you read the whole thread before commenting (granted, too long!!)
AK:
Keep wondering….;)
Madurai Vivekan:
Yes, I must go. SM has now begun to seriously interfere in my life, the way drugs do.My husband left me last week,and my 12 kids hate me now; they’ve all accused me of neglecting them. SM has ruined my life.
Bong Breaker:
One could definately make this argument, but I certainly didn’t want to be misunderstood. Or are you being sarcastic in this comment?
I don’t know what to make of you all, now. The more I think about it, the more I am becoming suspicious. What to make of your comments? Perhaps there are subtlely snide and smirky undertones beneath your seemingly harmless and joshing comments…
SM has been messing too much with my mind.
Yes, by all means, do not set out premenstrual bait, since many of the pompous outraged who burp and moan about all the misogyny at SM are other men.
“We’re all mad here.”
It was a compliment. I go out and get drunk with my friends. I was saying you remind me of my friends, not that you sounded like you were slurring your comments. I prefer drinking to wearing blue berets (only black for me and not in THIS heat) and chain-smoking, but I’m sorry that my attempt at being cute wasn’t your cup of…espresso.
wow, so much here to think about;
i found the list of attributes interesting b/c……i would love to learn how to be that kind of man (strong, gentle, kind, ect). our society needs to set up work-shops where we can learn how to be improve ourselves. but then we come to the rub of disagreement; of all the things on the list of what makes a good man, tool size is not changeable. one can’t begrudge a lady or a gentleman their preference though i suppose.
CAD, interacting with you is exhausting. Requiring painstaking clarifications and constant reassurance that we like you, we really really like you = high-maintenance.
Which is exactly why I was incensed.
Sorry, sorry, the post above was missing a couple of things.
Anna:
Don’t get miffed. I was trying to be cute, too. I really wanted to throw in the French cafe description. Don’t worry, I wasn’t offended by you.
Communis Rixatrix
Interminable clarifications about my opinions, yes, but constant reassurances? From people I don’t know and I’ve never met except virtually?
Jesus Christ everybody, I was just bantering.
Have a lovely, lovely Sunday. Make sure you go to Church, mandir, or the gurdwara to ask for atonement of your sins. I certainly will be, after having created a total mishap in this forum.
To clarify the above statement, of course this doesn’t mean that I don’t care if I offend somebody. Which is why I promptly responded to Anna’s comment and apologized for my comments- certainly don’t want to make anybody feel uncomfortable or offended, even if I don’t know them. And the fact that you don’t know somebody doesn’t grant a license to behave offensively, rudely, etc.
But to seek reassurances? I put my thoughts out, and people can agree or disagree, as I can.
Now if you excuse me, I am going to get ready to go to the mandir.
Yo Cad, It’s all good. You’ve entertained. Don’t leave us. I think there was misreading so you kept trying to clarify and inspect and analyze every lil bit, not necessary.
More importantly I would luv to know who the twats who were offended by this thread. What the hell is wrong with having a preferencde that is not immutable. I like people with clear skin, does that make me a bad person. And all the womens who think Sepia is a unfriendly space should join us in the 21st century and grow some balls. And by the way, I’m not the real Dr.Ruth.
Uhhh, I think that would definitely make you not Dr. Anybody.
Are you calling me a twat? Nevermind, I don’t want to care about the opinions of someone so insensitive and offensive.
BTW, clear skin is achievable, a growth spurt between your legs is not. Last I checked there’s no Pro-Activ for fixing genitalia.
Goddamn slow-moving medical research.
Noooooo, Anna. Not you. People who went running to the teacher to tattle. I’m going to shut up now. Happy Mothers Day.
Well, maybe if you spent less time blogging…
😉
Those 15 e-mails I get a day aren’t true??!?! This makes me reconsider all the money I’ve sent to Nigeria in the past six months.
Oh come now, cicatrix. There’s truth to what you’re implying (I’m working on it), but that’s not entirely fair. Not that I’m not impressed by what appear to be a lot of changes in the past year.
Maybe this next year’s project could be straightening out the uberhetero thing?…like there aren’t guys that like [deleted for the faint of heart]? 🙂
We want Venial Sin! We want Venial Sin!
Unhand him you knave! I proposed to him FIRST!
I totally want some Sin. 😉
Dude, who’s talking about marriage? I mean, if you need Pakistani citizenship or something, then maybe a paper marriage, but come on now. I think we can share 🙂
I call Wednesdays.
Uh oh, looks like PropaMcGandhi’s value is falling… SELLING SELLING SELLING!
Here’s a big “I’m OK, You’re OK” to all the girls and boys out there. Can we hug this out like smelly hippies? I’ve spent the last 12 hours
assemblingwrestling Ikea chairs, there’s no more fight left in me bones, cap’n!Might as well throw in a bit of chanting myself, “Sin Sin Sin Sin!”
Ahem – didn’t you have a visit from your best friend’s father or something?
Oi!!! Saurav that weren’t me, mate. Communis Rixatrix, I believe.
I know..all those ‘x’s..very confusing. But I’m just lurking these days.
Oi!!! Saurav that weren’t me, mate. Communis Rixatrix, I believe.
I know..all those ‘x’s..very confusing. But I’m just lurking these days.
I was afraid of that! I thought it might have been some interesting wordplay with the handle, but sadly no. The art of linguistic legerdemain seems underused.
CAD, Remember you can only have preferences for traits people can change…unles you’re a guy ofcourse.
bianca:
Shhhhh!! Don’t lure me back into this discussion.
Be careful of what you say, or else it could get you in trouble!
(Your link made me giggle a bit.)
(shit… I hope no one’s going to read that I giggled at the link.)
i was not offended by CAD’s preference, its not a secret that some (most/all/who cares) women prefer similiar. a lot of women like six pack abs too. is the world going to end because of that? maybe my dating world
but given the way things are (and why did i post at all)….but while i lack six pack abs, thats all i cop to
Again, those are different from a penis. It’s actually possible to improve your abs, whereas…
Oh no, cue for assorted “Get BIG in 10 days” type ads to start flooding this thread :)…
true, one can work on their abs. but even more so than that, what it occured to me is, what is the point? yes we’re all at base attracted to physical things, being as we’re 99% monkey, but we also have a brain. i’d like to imagine people like to be fit because it means a person is committed to taking caring of themselves. at the same time, as long as a person is not mean-spirited about having a preference, that’s their perogative too
its understandable and decent to comment as you did Anna, and i’d like to think i’d do the same if roles were reversed. but, one can’t stop human nature. on the flip side it’d be awesome if human nature accomodated multiple preferences. which it probably does.
on a related note, as an aside i wonder how many desi people or people in general assume the opposite when it comes to preferences about the other gender; meaning they think the other “side” has much more onerous standards then is reality. even CAD said, her ideal man need only have an “average” size tool. average isn’t that hard to attain. standards is (not) high, to paraphrase De La Soul. It would be a really superficial person who would stake their claim to love on tool or boob size wouldn’t it?