Today is Global Female Condom Day, a day of education and advocacy for female condoms. Many people have never heard of, much less used, a female condom, so you may be wondering why female condoms deserve their own day.

This year, the day’s theme is “Dance 4 Demand”—so here are five reasons why you should consider getting down:

1. The female condom is empowering and awesome.

The female condom is the only female-initiated method of prevention for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy, and it has benefits beyond those of the male condom. Female condoms can be inserted up to eight hours before sex, don’t depend on a man’s erection to stay in place, are latex-free, offer greater protection from skin-to-skin contact, and can be used for anal sex.

Having multiple options, and a female-initiated method of protection, is more important than ever in today’s world. Currently, 60 percent of all adults living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa are women, and 25 percent of women in sub-Saharan Africa have an unmet need for contraception.

2. The female condom often gets left out of the contraceptive mix.

Despite the benefits and need for female condoms, they are not well-marketed, stocked, or invested in. In 2009, female condoms represented just 0.38 percent of donor funds spent on HIV/AIDS globally. Female condoms represent only 3.2 percent of all United States condom shipments to developing countries. On supply lists, there is often only a line for “condoms,” thereby allowing female condoms to be left out of the contraceptive supplies conversation.

3. Greater demand would drive down costs and make female condoms more accessible.

Part of the reason why female condoms are often left out is their cost. On average, a female condom is about 4 times as expensive as the male condom. One of the reasons for the increased cost is materials for manufacturing, but the other is demand. Going back to basic economics, there need to be more options for female condoms to create market competition and drive down prices.

The most common female condom, the FC2, is currently available in 130 countries, and the Cupid, The Woman’s Condom, and Phoenurse are only available in a few select countries. Where available, female condoms are subject to the same stockouts as other contraceptive supplies, and are often not a priority item to restock.

4. New technology could make female condoms better than ever.

Due to inadequate funding, research, and knowledge, female condoms have taken a backseat to the male condom. However, times are changing. Two years ago, female condoms were endorsed as one of the 13 Life-Saving Commodities for Women and Children, and funders like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have backed new innovative research to come up with a better female condom.

Why are the Gates Foundation and other donors funding efforts to invent a better female condom? Quite honestly, the first version of the female condom, FC1, did not get great user reviews. Bulky, noisy, and cumbersome, the FC1 is no longer sold or developed, but its infamy has remained. The newer versions have improved on the FC1 to increase usability, acceptance, and hopefully demand.

Based on market testing, the Woman’s Condom is made with thinner material, has no inner ring, and includes a dissolvable cap for easy insertion. The Origami female condom was molded based on the female anatomy, and is made of completely non-allergenic materials. These new condoms are now in clinical trials, and their makers are reporting a 67 percent consumer preference, compared to only a 16 percent preference for the FC2. Both of these options are promising and exciting for the future of the female condom, and will hopefully be on the market in 2015.

5. Your dance could make a difference!

Civil society has been vitally important to improving recognition and use of female condoms worldwide, and they continue to advocate for increased attention and funding for female condoms. Advocates all over the world will be dancing in support of female condoms, so join the ranks in your city, or petition your government today to support and champion the female condom. Click here to learn more.