There were 32.267 cases of AIDS reported in Rio de Janeiro by September 30th., 2001 of which, 8.085 (25,1%) were women. After 2 research that demonstrated that women were receptiveis about female condoms (FC), the State Government and the Federal Government decided to acquire and distribute to women under high social vulnerability conditions. The State of Rio de Janeiro started this project in June, 2000. Description: The project considers gender dimensions and the health service units were trained to promote group discussions among women, and individual interviews, including issues about sex relationships, gender differences, empowerment and instructions about female condom use. FC are distributed to women: Sex workers, HIV +, partners of HIV+ men, drugs users or pariners of men that use drugs or women in poorness conditions. The majority of these 'Wwomen are assisted on a monthiy basis and asked about their own experience. Sex workers receive 12 FC monthly and the others, 8, They also receive male ¢ ondoms. Until October 2001, 16 Municipalities, 3 NGO - working with sex workers and 4 special health services - a research's centers for women that live with HIV/AIDS, are making this distribution and more than 4.000 women started the FC's use. Almost 20% of them arc making its regular use.Lessons Leamed: The educational methodology applicd, interpose on the acceptance. Initiatives should focus on both: men and women, aiming to promote protection in the Telationships. Recommendation: As the FC is a new barrier method, its advantages are still unknown for many people. Therefore, itis an effective way to increasc women's chances to negotiate safer sex and we need to cxpand its distribution to other Municipalitics. There is a clear need to provide more detailed training about scxuality and gender in order to improve the quality of the educationat work.