LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, will celebrate International Condom Day (ICD)—a February 13th holiday observed in conjunction with Valentine’s Day—by promoting prevention of STDs and unwanted pregnancies through free condom distribution and safer sex awareness events in 31 countries around the world, including the United States. Domestically, AHF will host 37 ICD events across the country in the District of Columbia and states including California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Texas. This year’s ICD theme, “Condoms Are Cool”, combines the feel-good inspiration from one of today’s most iconic music hits, Pharrell Williams’s “Happy”, with retro branding and a condom-themed parody of the song to convey the message that safer sex through consistent condom usage can still be rewarding and exciting—and never goes out of style.
“Around the world, we are very concerned that public support for the undeniable fact that condom usage saves lives—and the vital commitment required from governments, schools and health organizations to promote access to condoms—is falling by the wayside,” said AHF Chief of Global Advocacy and Policy Terri Ford. “In some countries, like India, condom shortages and stock outs have exposed vulnerable populations to unnecessary risk for STDs and unwanted pregnancies. This year, we want to bring international attention back on the importance of safer sex and send a positive message to young, sexually-active people that using condoms consistently is a key component of loving yourself, your partner and acting responsibly.”
In anticipation of ICD, AHF will release a series of in-house conceived and produced video vignettes, entitled “Bodega Nights” featuring a trio of scenarios related to young adult condom purchasing at a local mini-mart or “bodega.” A new vignette will be released each day of the final three days leading up to ICD on February 13. The first installment, “Empower”, can be viewed here: http://youtu.be/QiZy5nfWlz8
“In addition to our ‘Bodega Nights’ video series, we’re excited to unveil our “Because I Wrap It” parody song that cuts across borders and happily rides on Pharrell’s coattails—or under the brim of his iconic hat—to bring renewed attention to the importance of safer sex and condom usage,” added AHF President Michael Weinstein.
For a list of domestic and global ICD events, visit http://www.useacondom.com/icd/
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, currently provides medical care and/or services to nearly 367,000 individuals in 36 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Eastern Europe. To learn more about AHF, please visit our website: www.aidshealth.org, find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/aidshealth and follow us on Twitter: @aidshealthcare and Instagram: @aidshealthcare
