"ROMANCE"
1. TYPE OF PREVENTION MATERIAL.
- Poster or page in magazine or tract
A4.
- 100% vector drawing (compatible with any size without loss of graphic quality).
- Full colors.
2. LEADING IDEA
The leading idea is to simulate a sophisticated
epistolary (old style) conversation-letter between two new lovers who never
slept together to pass some AIDS prevention messages.
The letter tackles the subject of the use of condom BEFORE to be together.
The man, after understanding that he will not be able to avoid using condoms
if he wants to have an intimate relationship with his lady, is a bit complaining…
The lady, still remaining sensitive and educated as a woman should be, answers
in a quite strict manner that the use of condoms is a must.
Mainly, this poster is designed for women magazines or to display in women meeting rooms (for instance in women hair dressing rooms) or for women audience.
The romantic atmosphere of this poster
(flowers, text, etc.) is well adapted to support the usual soft and sensible
atmosphere of a large majority of magazines more dedicated for women.
3. OBJECTIVES OF "ROMANCE" MINI
POSTER.
Messages
To deliver the following "2nd line
messages":
- Women do have the power to say "no" to unsafe sex and to impose
the use of condom. This is a quite important message as it is reported that
more than 90% of faithful wives are infected by their husbands or fixed partners.
- It is also essential that women should first try to understand why men do not always appreciate the use of condoms. In Thailand, it becomes more important to speak openly about the side effects of condoms instead of repeating the preventing effect of condoms, effect that everybody is already well aware of. It would also help women to relax their partners who are often totally unable to verbalize correctly their "unspeakable" hate of condoms.With the help of women, men should become less shy and more able to speak out clearly why they do not like using condoms. This verbalization will allow men to be more adult in their final choice.
- To update or even to add a new dimension to the concept of virility: "A man capable to challenge the inconvenient of condoms is a true virile man" or "A man who refuses to challenge the inconvenient of condoms is a "fake" man".
- By the style of the letter, the poster may induce the idea that only uneducated people do not use condom… (which is not true of course, but as a prevention message, it is always better to associate the refusal of condom with foolishness)
To deliver the following "1st line messages":
- Indirectly, the use of condoms is promoted
as the best way to prevent HIV sexual contamination. It is a hidden message
as it is not clearly mentioned.
Targeted people
- Mainly designed for women audience via
the woman magazines. (Such magazines are very well disseminated in ALL sociologic
groups of Thailand, may be a bit less in the tribal group).
- This poster can also be displayed in rooms where women meet: women group
meeting room, ladies hairdresser salons, etc. It can also be displayed on
the doors (inside side) of women toilets.
- This poster can be seen by men who will be reminded of the power of women
to say "no" to unsafe sex and to oblige the use of condoms in intimate
relationship.
- In secondary schools, romantic young girls will surely be interested in
such delicate way to conceive love. Some revisions can be made to the poster
to adapt it for secondary schools.
- The poster is not adequate for people who do not know the basic information
about AIDS and the use of condoms as main prevention for HIV sexual transmission.
- The material is not adapted (but surely not contra-indicated) for young
children who are not interested with epistolary communication between lovers.
4. TEXT OF THE POSTER
1- Letter of the gentleman
My dearest Lady,
To know that you will receive me fills me with joy, burning
and expectant pleasure. You have kindly pointed out your condition for acceptance
- the condom - for which I cannot but feel a far cooler sense of excitement.
Indeed, my dear Lady, I do not carry the dreaded disease. And do you know
how distasteful that small plastic object is to us men, for it dulls the exquisite
sensitivity and makes our paradise more remote, and may even prevent us altogether
from flying up there? Yet I respect you too deeply to deny your command. May
I then entertain the hope, my dearest Lady, that you will lend me your kindest
assistance to overcome such discomfort that is to be imposed upon me?
I love you.
...XY
2-Answer of the lady
Most lovable Sir,
I understand your concern well. I know now that you are truly
a man, not one of those who can do no better than the pretence of manliness.
Indeed, a man who fears the condom is simply not a real man. Rest assured
that I shall spare no effort in helping you overcome whatever unpleasantness
you may encounter - unpleasantness that right-minded men readily accept.
I love you.
..XX
Please note, also, that real women do welcome such men who know
the art of intimacy without haste, for the heavenly flight is no less an aspiration
of women as it is of men.