PURPOSE: The International Day to end obstetric fistula is observed every year on 23 May. Obstetric fistula is a devastating childbirth injury, and a neglected public health and human rights issue. Two million women in low-resource settings have an obstetric fistula, and 100,000 more develop one every year. Leaking urine and/or faeces and, as a result, living in desperate circumstances, only 1 in 50 ever receives treatment. The day aims to ensuring access to emergency obstetric care and skilled health professionals—especially midwives—to all women to prevent and help ensure treatment for obstetric fistula.
FORUM: “FIGO at 70: Our journey towards improving sexual and reproductive rights.” International Day to End Obstetric Fistula 2024. Obstetric fistula is a development and public health issue, but it’s also a human rights issue, one that grants everyone the right to health and a life of dignity.The injury can be prevented by sexual and reproductive health care, access to contraception and access to skilled birth attendants and high-quality emergency obstetric care. With its many partners, UNFPA leads the Campaign to End Fistula, which works in more than 55 countries on prevention, treatment and rehabilitation efforts. It can be treated with reconstructive surgery, though many women and girls don’t know about treatment, can’t access it or can’t afford it. As FIGO celebrates its 70th anniversary, we mark the vital role the Advocating for Safe Abortion (ASA) Project has had in improving the sexual and reproductive health and rights of people in lower income and lower middle-income countries. Here we reflect on the project's evolution, successes and enduring legacy. Beyond national borders, the ASA Project's influence expanded to the regional level through newly established Communities of Practice. Understanding the importance of creating spaces for advocates to learn, plan and motivate each other, FIGO partnered with SAGO and ECSACOG to establish committed networks of advocates in West Africa and East, Central and Southern Africa whose continued work delivers even greater impact in the region. Join us in celebrating FIGO's 70th anniversary - share your memories with us. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #EndFistula, #EndFistulaDay; #23May.
EVENTS: On May 23rd The International Day to End Obstetric Fistula 2024 will be observed at UNFPA Headquarters in New York. The United Nations Member States are invited to consult the resolution to end fistula by 2030. We are hopeful to develop even more strategic partnerships. One such partnership is with the World Association of Trainees in Obstetrics and Gynecology (WATOG). Having been inaugurated under the auspices of FIGO, WATOG is now leading the path for future OBGYNs. We should all continuously strengthen our next generation of professionals. we wish to encourage member societies and partners to explore the twinning opportunities. As FIGO – through their Regional Trustees – localises women’s health in five regions. Together, through north-south and south-south collaborations will accelerate the achievement of the sustainability and development goals (SDGs). As FIGO celebrates their 70th anniversary, They look to opportunities to meet, share and learn from one another. First at the FIGO Asia Oceania Regional Congress – Bali 2024, in November 2024, then at the XXV FIGO World Congress of Gynecology and Obstetrics in Cape Town, South Africa, in October 2025. Collectively, we must pursue the women’s health agenda. FIGO, the global voice for women’s health, must leap onward! You are to participate to these congresses to learn, share, build alliances, and shape the future of women’s and reproductive health. Pre-register for the FIGO 2025 World Congress to contribute to help more women living with obstetric fistula to recover and rebuild their lives.
PODCASTS: Preventing and managing obstetric fistula contribute to the Sustainable Development Goal 3 of improving maternal health. Listen to the audio-podcasts!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: ‘‘Breaking the cycle; Preventing Fistula Now." This May 23rd, Demonstrate your commitment to women’s health and reproductive rights, health equity, and social justice. Join the Campaign to end Fistula and Get the communication materials!
WHY WE CELEBRATE THE DAY?
The International Day to End Obstetric Fistula aims to raise awareness about obstetric fistula and the dangers of it. Obstetric fistula is a childbirth injury that can affect both the mother and the child.
According to the fistula foundation, it can occur when a mother has prolonged or obstructed labor. Lack of emergency medical care can leave her in pain and worse, the baby may die.
This injury can leave a woman with physical and psychological consequences such as the inability to control her body’s waste, chronic infections, or social isolation. This day encourages women affected to seek treatment and to understand that they are not alone. The fistula Treament chain must be reliably funded, functioning and coordinated.
GET INVOLVED!
An urgent redoubling of efforts is required to keep fistula from being a neglected issue by intensifying resource mobilization in order to end fistula within a generation.
Reach families and communities with key messages on fistula prevention, treatment and social reintegration.
Advocate and support universal access to sexual and reproductive health services.
Sensitize and mobilize communities as advocates for fistula elimination and safe motherhood.
Strengthening and expanding interventions to ensure universal access to education.
Developing linkages and engagement with civil society organizations and women’s empowerment groups to help eliminate obstetric fistula.
PARTNERS
The H6 partnership harnesses the collective strengths of the UNFPA, the Maternal Health Thematic Fund (MHTF), the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, the UNICEF, the UN Women, the World Health Organization (WHO), the UNAIDS and the World Bank Group to deliver technical support and advance the Every Woman Every Child Global Strategy in support of country leadership and action for women's, children's and adolescents' health.
With the support of private individuals, philanthropic foundations, such as Zonta International, and private corporations, including Johnson & Johnson, Total, Noble Energy, Virgin Unite, UNFCU Foundation and the MTN Foundation.