Jakarta – A Dutch-based non-profit organization has offered the Indonesian government assistance in promoting safe sex among youth, to curb the spread of the HIV virus and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in Indonesia.

Jippy Foundation director Roger Kiekens praised the government's plan to introduce "National Condom Week", and emphasized the need for access to cheap, good quality condoms and education programs.

"The upcoming campaign is a good idea but the government needs to make sure people have access to cheap condoms," Kiekens told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

"Everyone in the world has the right to have safe sex. The government can run campaigns promoting condoms but if (people) can only find condoms they can't afford, the campaign will not work."

Jippy Foundation is a Dutch-based non-profit youth organization involved in educational and preventative work in the field of safe sex.

The foundation works with governments in several countries including Malaysia and the United Kingdom, to educate young people about safe sex, promote affordable condoms and provide other information.

Kiekens said, in addition to providing affordable condoms and educating people on proper condom use, information on STDs would help prevent the spread of infections in Indonesia.

"The government can't close their eyes or hide this condition under the rug,"

He said the private sector should get involved in efforts to stop the spread of STDs. "Nightclubs, where many youths hang out, should stop thinking only about profits and start involving themselves in promoting safe sex by providing condoms on their premises," Kiekens said.

Recent data from the Health Ministry shows there are some 5,000 people infected with the HIV virus and more than 10,000 people living with AIDS in Indonesia.

The government will hold the country's first ever National Condom Week starting Dec. 1 which will coincide with the commemoration of international HIV/AIDS Day.

The activities will include free condom giveaways and a public awareness campaign targeting public transportation drivers and students, involving religious leaders, cultural figures and entertainers.

"This campaign will promote condoms for contraception," National Family Planning Coordinating Board spokesman Ipin Husni told the Post over the phone.