Twitter users take up selfie challenge on World Aids Day

“Don’t have sex without Latex”, “I use condoms, if I couldn’t, imagine telling people she is my child’s mother for the rest of my life”, “Because diapers are expensive”, “Don’t compare the pleasure, Life is a beautiful treasure” are some of the messages floating on social media websites to spread awareness about the use of condoms on the World AIDS Day that fell on December 1.

Social media users took the selfie challenge, that went viral with ‘#IuseCondoms’ tag, and uploaded their pictures with a pack of condoms to encourage the practice of safe sex.

The selfie challenge kicked off on Saturday last week by Yaariyan, youth wing of non-government organisation (NGO) Humsafar Trust, that deals in protecting rights of the LGBT community.

Shreya Veer, herself a bi-sexual took to Twitter to post her selfie. “I am married to a man and safe sex is necessary. People are still afraid of buying condoms, holding it and posing is an entirely different issue. That mentality needs to be removed, she said.

Harish Iyer, social activist attached with Humsafar, told The Indian Express that the idea behind the selfie-challenge was to break the stigma associated with condoms. “People refrain from going to medical shops to buy condoms. Such activities helps them come out of their shell,” Iyer said.

While initially the NGO hesitation amongst social media users to take the challenge, they noticed a spurt in the tweets later during the day.

Ajay Govale, attached with United Way of Mumbai, said, “When this selfie challenge began, I took it up immediately. But several of my friends, family and colleagues were reluctant to post something using the hash-tag. Now they have all taken up the challenge.”

Several took to Instagram to upload posters of condoms, with few quirky enough to say: “Better safe than sorry” or “#IuseCondoms wrap it up every time”.

Dr Shrikala Acharya, additional project director of Mumbai district AIDS control society (MDACS), admitted that there is a greater need for advocating safe sex practices to avoid HIV infection. “We keep approaching colleges to sensitise youngsters about safe sex. Since sex education does not take place in our state, there is very little awareness on this issue,” Acharya said.