16 years: This is the time Dah had to live with the condition of agonization, subject to eight different surgical procedures before finally repairing the fistula.
In recognition of the more than 500,000 women like Dah who are forced to support what is a highly treatable condition, the international day to end the obstetric fistula is being marked on Friday.
Obstetric fistula is a medical condition that refers to the development of a small hole between the delivery channel and the bladder or the rectum, which leads to urine or feces leaks.
This year's theme, “his health, his right: to shape a future without fistula” will seek to move towards the objective of eliminating fistula by 2030.
Women's bodies become battlefields, not only through sexual violence but through the deliberate denial of reproductive rights and health
– Sima Bahous, executive director of the UN women
“Women's bodies become battlefields, not only through sexual violence but also through the deliberate denial of reproductive rights and health services,” said Sima Bahous, executive director of UN women.
'A silent crisis'
It is often caused by prolonged or difficult delivery. Most of the media millions of women who suffer the condition live in the global south.
Many women who have a fistula experience social isolation and exclusion caused by urine or feces escape. This, in turn, can lead to depression and exacerbated poverty.
Kambiré, a small business owner who lives in Bouuna, lived with obstetric fistula for 23 years. He even had another child before receiving medical assistance.
“I preferred to isolate myself for the fistula,” he said. “I couldn't sit much for fear of wetting.”
She only learned that she was treatable when she listened to a radio program, inspiring her to go to a hospital for the treatment of the UN sexual and reproductive health agency (UNFPA) to receive treatment. Now, she owns a small marijuana manufacturing business.
Kambiré had obstetric fistula for 23 years and now has its own marijuana manufacturing business.
Completely preventable and treatable
The UNFPA established the elimination objective by 2030, which seems feasible since, as a medical condition, it is completely preventable and is completely treatable.
Between 2003 and 2024, the UNFPA supported almost 150,000 repairs of surgical fistula, of which only 4,400 occurred only in ivory coast for women like Dah and Kambiré.
Catherine, mother of two children in Bouuna, also received medical assistance from a hospital supported by UNFPA.
“Now that I am healthy, I am happy. I can direct my business and spend time with my friends,” he said.
However, the obstetric fistula has remained stubbornly persistent worldwide due to disparities in global health systems.
UNFPA says that midwives are key to preventing fistula and other delivery injuries. However, there is a global shortage of more than 900,000 midwives, 500,000 of which are found in Sub -Saharan Africa.
Education and empowerment of reproductive health are equally essential to address and prevent obstetric fistula.
“The most effective shield that we can offer to women and girls is their own power, voice and leadership,” Bahous said.
Solidarity networks
After Dah received a successful treatment for his obstetric fistula, she, like Kambiré, began a seasonal food business through which she prepares and sells products.
It has also joined with other Bouuna fistula survivors to improve community awareness and reduce stigma.
“When women lead, they protect themselves but their families and communities … the impact is transformative,” said Bahous.
