Now that a less expensive second-generation female condom is available, the World YWCA is calling on large-scale purchasers to buy and distribute 180 million of the prophylactics in 2006. Only about 12 million female condoms are distributed worldwide each year'compared to as many as 9 billion male condoms. Studies have shown that women who are unable to insist that their sex partners use male condoms can rely on female condoms to protect themselves against HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
