Bands seek more condoms this Crop Over

The National Wellbeing and HIV Commission reported a near-doubling in Foreday Morning and Grand Kadooment bands seeking condoms, jumping from 20 last year to nearly 40 this year.

“Good thing for us, we had the stocks so that everybody was able to get something to put in the packages for the revellers on the road,” Public Relations Officer of the National Wellbeing and HIV Commission, Fabian Todd told Barbados TODAY.

Clad in shirts bearing the message, ‘Crop-Over Sweet. Safe Sex Sweeter’, 50 staff and volunteers hit the streets on Kadooment Day, distributing 70 000 condoms and lube packs.

“We know some will be used and some will not be used, but we are hoping that the majority are and that those who follow us and are in the earshot of our truck passing will hear the messages that we send out there,” Todd said.

However, noting a rise in sexually transmitted infections, including gonorrhoea, syphilis, and chlamydia, among young people between 2023 and 2024, he urged increased condom use.

“For the older generation, who might not believe in condoms, we will tell you they work. And as was reported earlier this year, the rise in HIV cases and sexually transmitted infections is real. So if you do not believe that a condom saving your life is real, then I do not know what else I can tell you,” Todd said. 

Throughout the Crop Over season, the commission members also visited and made distributions at a majority of fetes and tents. (JB)