As part of Durex’s ongoing #CondomEmoji campaign, Durex unveils “Umbrella with Raindrops” as the overwhelmingly preferred choice in a global poll to name the unofficial safe sex emoji, that has been carried out by the brand to mark World AIDS Day.
In response to Unicode’s refusal to create an official Condom Emoji Durex kicked off the #CondomEmoji campaign asking people to use and share the icon on social media to show their support for an official safe sex emoji which will help young people everywhere talk about safe sex.
The campaign has also received the support of the International Planned Parenthood Federation.
“Durex Global Category Director, Volker Sydow, said: “At Durex we believe that for this World AIDS Day identifying the unofficial safe sex emoji is an important step that helps to empower young people to put safe sex back on the agenda, supporting the fight to reduce the spread of HIV and AIDS. We are asking people to show their support for the cause by using this unofficial safe sex emoji and sharing the hashtag #CondomEmoji.”
50% of 16-35 year olds don’t feel HIV as something that could affect them
The campaign has been launched in response to the shocking revelation that half of 16-35 year olds felt that HIV is not something that could ever affect them (sic. Someone Like Me, VIMN & Brand Solutions Insight with Tapestry Research, 2014) despite the fact that 36.7 million people globally are living with HIV and 2.1 million people were newly infected with the virus during the last year (sic. UNAIDS Factsheet, November, 2016).
More than 60% of young people surveyed admitted to being uncomfortable discussing safe sex (sic. 3GEM – UK, October 2016), with 72% claiming they found it easier to express emotions using emojis and more than three quarters admitting that they use emojis to discuss sex. 9 out of 10 agreed that an official #CondomEmoji would be something that would help them to talk more openly about safe sex.
Director General of the International Planned Parenthood Federation, Tewodros Melesse, said: “Safe sex awareness continues to be an important global challenge. We support Durex’s campaign in helping make young people think about protection. On World AIDS Day we will be backing this effort to help raise awarness of the risks associated with unprotected sex.”
Image over the headline.- “Umbrella with Raindrops” most voted emoji for safe sex #CondomEmoji campaign by Durex.
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