UW-Madison’s sex education organization Sex Out Loud will hold several events beginning Wednesday to bring attention to National Condom Week.
National Condom Week activities from Wednesday to Saturday will occur on campus to remind students of the importance of practicing safe sex and understanding barrier method options, said Paula Tran, events coordinator for SOL.
The dates of National Condom Week vary according to different organizations. Traditionally the week falls on the same week as Valentine’s Day, according to Tran.
“National Condom Week is an event we run every year over Valentine’s Day,” Tran said. “In this kind of frenzy when everyone is thinking about dating and relationships we like to remind people about safer sex and healthy relationships.”
The theme for this year’s events is “Put this on when you get off.”
In a combined effort with UW-Madison pharmacy students and UHS, SOL will hold a forum on birth control Wednesday at the Memorial Union. The organization will run its pleasure and relationship programs on Thursday.
“We’ll talk about using condoms and barrier methods and birth control and how to recognize an unhealthy relationships,” Tran said.
Thursday evening the group will distribute condoms to patrons of State Street bar and restaurants in their “Condom Crawl.”
The series of events will conclude at the Barrymore Theater with a production of the “Vagina Monologues” on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Tran said it’s very important for students to know what birth control and banning options they have.
The American Social Health Association said in a statement it recognizes the importance of National Condom Week to help educate young adults on the importance of using condoms every time they engage in sexual activity.
According to the ASHA, over 19 million new cases of sexually transmitted infections occur each year, and over half of which occur in youths aged 15 to 24. By age 25, half of sexually active young adults will contract an STD.
