Wari villagers in NTB to get condom ATM's

Wari villagers in NTB to get condom ATM's

Antara, Mataram

A senior government official said on Sunday his office was
planning to install automatic condom dispensers soon in the
vicinity of the PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara mining site in of Batu
Hijau area on Sumbawa island.

The condom dispensers are aimed at supporting the family
planning program and preventing the spread sexually transmitted
diseases. They will be installed at the request of the giant
mining company, said Burhan, the head of West Nusa Tenggara
Family Planning Office.

Another dispenser was set up a few months ago in the vicinity
of West Nusa Tenggara provincial police headquarters on Lombok.

The condom dispensing program has met strong opposition from
some provincial councillors, who fear that condom distribution
will encourage fornication and adultery in West Nusa Tenggara
province. Sexual relations out of wedlock has been called the
most evil act and greatest taboo for those living in the devoutly
religious province of West Nusa Tenggara, where most people
consider themselves Muslims.

However, the public protests have since died down after
government officials embarked on a public relations campaign
explaining the importance of condom use for safe sex. The
government also explained how condoms prevent unplanned births.

The condom dispenser looks and works much like an automatic
teller machine. People interested in getting condoms simply press
a button and a condom will be dispensed. Burhan did not say
whether the condoms could be obtained without a fee.

Condom dispensers are a very new phenomenon for rural areas of
the country.

Jimmy, a spokesperson from Newmont, said he had no idea about
the plan.