Toronto, British Columbia (AHN) -- In an effort to de-stigmatize condoms, one advocacy group is encouraging people to make their own art pins using the contraceptive.

Executive director of The Condom Project, Franck DeRose, says his group started a program that aims to get people more comfortable with condoms, particularly those who live in countries where the items are taboo.

He tells Reuters, "There's a great need to de-stigmatize condoms around the world, especially in Africa."

To achieve that goal, the project has set up a craft table at the International AIDS Conference in Toronto with packaged condoms, colored paper, candy and tape.

The art pins have turned up on African grandmothers, conservative-looking men and shy teens.

DeRose says making art out of condoms attracts people who wouldn't normally wear the prophylactics, or even talk about them.

He tells Reuters, "It opens the door... We find that we're very, very successful."

Nearly 400,000 condoms have been made into art pins in countries such as India, Thailand, Senegal and Burkina Faso.

At the conference alone, about 30,000 pins have been decorated.

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