Empowering Adolescents Through Female Condom Awareness: A Case Study from Area 23, Lilongwe

Malawi’s adolescent population faces persistent challenges in sexual and reproductive health, including high rates of unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and school dropouts. Despite the proven effectiveness of female condoms in preventing both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), their awareness and utilization among young people remain critically low. This case study, conducted in Area 23, Lilongwe, explores adolescents’ knowledge, perceptions, and use of female condoms, highlighting structural and behavioral barriers that hinder uptake. Findings reveal widespread misconceptions, cultural taboos, gender power imbalances, and limited access to youth-friendly health services as key obstacles. Moreover, adolescents demonstrate limited understanding of their sexual and reproductive rights, often believing contraceptives are reserved for married women.

The study emphasizes that female condom promotion cannot succeed without addressing broader social and cultural dynamics. Adolescents reported discomfort and stigma when attempting to access contraceptives, underscoring the need for confidential, respectful, and supportive health services. Peer education and community engagement emerged as promising strategies to challenge myths and normalize female condom use. Additionally, mass media campaigns—particularly through radio and social media—can amplify awareness and reshape public attitudes.

Ultimately, empowering adolescents requires a multi-level approach that integrates education, rights awareness, and accessible services. By dismantling barriers and fostering inclusive dialogue, Malawi can cultivate a generation of young people who make reproductive choices freely, safely, and responsibly, contributing to national goals of improved health outcomes and gender equity. This have brought huge impact hence condoms must be proived at all cost and ensuring accessibility and making more impactful to the nation