International Condom Day 2023: History, Objectives and Importance

International Condom Day (ICD) is observed on February 13th, to raise awareness about the importance of sexual health, wellbeing, and practicing safer sex. The purpose of observing this day is to encourage people to use condoms to protect themselves from contracting sexually transmissible infections and diseases and to be involved in safe sex. This day also serves as a reminder that regardless of economic, gender, or based on status, contraception should be affordable and accessible for everyone. This day is observed/celebrated by hosting educational campaigns and free condom distribution stalls.

Condom: one of the greatest scientific innovations in the history of mankind, though innocuous, has aided in transforming life on Earth! The condom has been in use since 3000 BC, when the Romans made it out of their defeated enemies’ muscles, while the Egyptians color-coded their condoms. Apart from protection, condoms were a breather for women for periods of history, as getting pregnant out of wedlock blackmailed them with pariah status.

In the past few years, ICD has taken the limelight with the ongoing global pandemic of AIDS and HIV. As per World Health Organization (WHO) reports there was an estimated 38.4 million people living with HIV / AIDS in 2021. Hearty thanks to the latex sleeves, for they stand out to be a vital tool in preventing unplanned pregnancies and reducing the risk of contracting sexual infections by ~80%.

Let us now take a deeper look at the history of happy hats, as fondly called by many people...

Known as the rubber revolution, there are a number of theories surrounding condoms and their usage. The word is derived from the Latin word “condus” which stands for vessel or receptacle and from the Persian word "kemdu” referring to a long piece of tissue taken from the animal for storage purposes.

Only in the mid-1800s, the very first version of modernized condoms (which we see today) was invented and brought out to the market. American inventor Charles Goodyear, the man behind this invention, employed a technique named vulcanization, where the rubber along with sulphur is heated which produces an elastic material that is also durable and malleable. 1860s large-scale manufacturing took place, but was priced on a high note, hence, men were advised to reuse the condoms after proper cleaning (which is a big NO in today’s generation).

Being the second most popular contraception method, worldwide, the condom industry revolutionized in the 1920s with the invention of latex. Today’s latex condoms are available in the pre-lubricated form, in different flavors, and in various textures, and stretch up to 8 times their original size.

In 1994, Lasse Hessel, a Danish MD, developed condoms for females and was also approved by the FDA the same year.

Objectives and Importance of International Condom Day

One of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections is by using condoms while indulging in intercourse. The main aim is to make condoms easily accessible to use, and affordable by all classes of people. STDs are the main concern when indulging in unprotected sex. Contracting an STD can have a serious impact on one’s health including cancer, infertility, and death. Unplanned pregnancies can take a severe toll on the mother and child’s physical and mental health. So all these are a few good reasons to ensure that condom is used regularly by sexually active persons while engaging in sexual intercourse. If you still have any doubts regarding STDs, you can consult with a medical expert anytime and get your doubts clarified. 

International Condom Day is observed not only to remind about the importance of safe sex but also to provide awareness, education, and a global commitment to sexual health and wellbeing. With a purpose, it falls right before Valentine’s Day, to mark the importance and encourage oneself to protect themselves and others from contracting STDs and STIs.