Washington DC will become the first city in the US to make female condoms available for free.

The female condom was redesigned and relaunched in the US .

bbc.co.uk

The contraceptives will be handed out in beauty salons, convenience stores and high schools in areas with high rates of HIV/Aids infection.

Male condoms have long been handed out but infection rates remain high among Washington’s black residents.

Female condoms have been on sale since 1993 but take-up has been slow.

The initial version of the contraceptive was judged by US customers to be too expensive.

However, a new version now being used in countries including South Africa, Brazil, and Indonesia will be distributed in Washington DC and offered for sale in pharmacies alongside male condoms.

via bbc.co.uk