By Lemuella Tarawallie
The Planned Parenthood Association in Sierra Leone (PPASL) has crowned David Sandy and Isha Ansumana as Mr &Miss PPASL at a “Condom Fashion Show” which took place at the PPASL Wesley Street office in central Freetown.
The Condom Fashion Show was organised by the Youth Action Movement Sierra Leone (YAMSL), which is the youth component of Planned Parenthood Association in Sierra Leone (PPASL).
The goal of the fashion show was not just to entertain but to educate and engage young people with conversations about sexual health including Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies. It also aimed at providing a platform to break taboos, challenge stigma, and foster an open dialogue about the importance of using condom as a preventive measure.
The show, featured a variety of stunning outfits, all made from condoms, highlighting the importance of safe sex in unique and engaging way.
Designers, who were predominantly young people from the local community showcased their innovations as they demonstrated the versatility and utilization of condoms beyond the traditional use.
The Condom Fashion Show was more than just a runway event; it was a call to action for young people to take charge of their sexual health. Participants were encouraged to learn about the various contraceptive options available and how to protect themselves and their partners from sexual harm.
The PPASL’s Executive Director, Dr Sarian Kamara while welcoming participants of the PPASL Condom Fashion Show, stated that the show was an initiative of young people in Sierra Leone.
Dr Kamara threw light on the work of the PPASL in terms of providing broad range of Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) Services. She also encouraged young people to take the lead in terms of fighting and talking about issues that had to do with their Sexual Reproductive Health Rights.
The Youth Component of PPASL, Rosaline Judy who was also the PPASL-Fashion–Show Lead Coordinator, noted that by blending fashion with advocacy; PPASL was reaching people in a way that traditional methods could not.
She concluded that the goal was to normalize condom use and highlighted the role in preventing STIs and promoting safe sexual behaviour and empowering the next generation.
Speakers from various health organisations also address the audience at the event and they also discussed the benefits of condoms use.
Both winners of the PPASL Condom Fashion Show encouraged other young people to practice safer sex, as the rate of HIVAIDS was actually high among young people. They also encouraged their fellow young people to come on board and be champions in promoting sexual reproductive health.
Other Speakers such as the Media and Communications Specialist at Aid Health Care Foundation (AFH), the Regional Manager of PPASL for the North-West Region, Mrs Gladys A. Gobba shed light on similar ways.
Attendees of the events included the honorary President of the Association of PPSA Hassan Fuad Kanu.