Honey and Banana Helpline: Cocktails and Safe Words
It started over cocktails, and conversations about "cocks" without tails. Two of my closest friends and I were discussing our latest spicy times when the conversation turned to protection. No, not the emotional kind, we’ve got cardio and crying sessions for that but the very real, very physical risks of sex.
Me– 27, proudly single and exploring casual connections.
Sarah– 23, Married but not trying for a baby anytime soon.
Jade– 26, In a long-term relationship where condoms are becoming a taboo.
Between the three of us, we sort of cover the spectrum of modern women’s sexual realities. About a year or so ago, we had taken our sexual health into our hands by contacting Honey and Banana by dialing 7790 (a number we now know by heart) to know everything there is to know about our sexual health, pregnancy prevention and child spacing methods.
So, imagine the shock when Sarah dropped the bomb: “I missed my pill twice this month” and Jade shared that her boyfriend had been pulling the classic “Do we really have to use condoms?” line. My girls were slacking. They needed reminders. As for me, I’d already learned the hard way that some men have a very selective memory when it comes to disclosing unprotected hookups.
So we made a new pact. We developed safe words
● Pre-Hookup Accountability: "You got an Umbrella?"→ “Do you have condoms?”
● The Morning-After Check-In: A simple “Wanna grab brunch?” text means “Did you take your Plan B?”
● The STD Test Reminder: "Have you cleared your calendar?" = "Checked your clinic app results?"
● No Shame Allowed, just solutions: No judgment if someone admits, “I messed up”, we come up with instant solutions and scold later...or never.
We didn't create this system because we are irresponsible, we did it because sex is fun but complicated, and society still expects women to handle the consequences silently.
Consequences like;
The Realities of Unplanned Pregnancy:
● Unplanned Motherhood: Forces women into irreversible roles too soon. Education, career, and freedom often take a backseat.
● Abortion: Banned in many places, leading to dangerous procedures. Many women choose it, but often struggle in silence.
● Adoption: Giving up a child creates a lasting bond. Birth mothers frequently battle depression, regret, and secrecy.
● Career Death (for Women): Women often lose earnings, promotions, and opportunities after having children, while men's careers can thrive.
STIs: Hard Truths for Women:
● Higher Risk: Women are twice as likely as men to contract STIs from unprotected sex.
● Hidden Dangers: A man's asymptomatic HPV can cause cervical cancer in women.
● Silent Infertility: Many women become infertile from untreated chlamydia, often unknowingly, until it's too late.
So you see, our safe words are more than inside jokes. It’s a way to say: we own our pleasure, our protection and our future. So, let’s stop whispering about Plan B in bathroom stalls and start holding ourselves accountable. Let’s turn our shared struggles into unshakable strength.
Let's normalize condoms, demand honesty, or refuse to apologize for prioritizing our health. Let's change the game by calling 7790 because with Honey and Banana, it’s all about collective liberation.
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Source: Legit.ng
