The nervous looks, speaking in innuendos and gestures, walking out with a concealed bag. And that one aunty with her judgmental stare. That's what many young Indians face when buying a condom from a pharmacy. 

 

In a country where sex is still an awkward subject to talk about publicly, buying a condom can be embarrassing for boys and even more so for girls. In fact, a study showed that young men would rather have unprotected sex than face the embarrassment of buying condoms from a pharmacy.

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However, many young adults don't realise that the first step to having sex is not to reach for a condom; but to ask for permission. 

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Enter - The Consent Machine

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A voice-activated vending machine with Durex products for everyone. The only catch being, for the machine to work, at least two individuals must speak 'YES' into it.

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If a partner isn't at the machine, scanning a QR code displayed on the screen opens a page to enter their phone number. The partner receives a text with "Yes/No" prompts—replying "Yes" dispenses the product.

 

The machine displays a message along the lines of: Start with a Yes and finish with a YES YES YESSSS... #ConsentFirst - reiterating that consent and safety is the gateway to pleasure. 

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These machines can be placed in areas with many bars/pubs or commercial offices and colleges, making contraceptives more accessible and less awkward. ​​