SafeBirth4All Campaign
Prevent Obstetric Fistula
Welcome to SafeBirth4All, a campaign that seeks to highlight the human rights realities of the experiences of women and girls and obstetric fistula.
SafeBirth4All promotes primarily the prevention of obstetric fistula, while also aligning with the UNFPA Campaign for treatment, rehabilitation, reintegration and advocacy.
What do we mean by obstetric fistula?
Obstetric fistula is a physical injury that occurs during a prolonged birth, where the baby becomes stuck inside a woman’s body. This causes a hole between the birth canal and the bladder (vesicovaginal fistula) and/or her rectum (rectovaginal fistula), which results in uncontrollable leaking of urine and/or faeces. Left untreated, this is the reality for a woman or girl for the rest of her life. Added to this trauma, is the reality that 90% of pregnancies where the woman develops fistula, results in stillbirth.
Across 55 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and the Pacific, the Arab States and Latin America, there are an estimated 500,000 women and girls living with obstetric fistula, with some 50,000 new cases annually (UNFPA). The majority of women today who develop fistula during the childbirth process live in areas where quality and affordable health and social care is limited. Most cannot access or afford the transport to the long distances to regional medical facilities, nor the cost of paying for appropriate medical care once there.
An issue of human rights
Obstetric fistula is one of the most neglected public-health and human-rights realities for women and girls today. The condition deeply affects a woman’s life; it causes horrific, life-altering damage to her body, resulting in shame, discrimination and social rejection, deepening poverty and marginalisation and psycho-social trauma.
Yet, obstetric fistula is a preventable condition. In countries like Ireland with established social and healthcare systems, obstetric fistula is mostly eradicated. Key to a holistic approach in eradicating obstetric fistula lies in prioritising girls’ education and safeguarding continued educational and livelihood supports that empower and equip girls and women in rural areas to ensure their well-being. This includes access to quality education, appropriate health and maternal care, supports for economic independence and improving their subordinate status within their community.
Please join us in our campaign to prevent obstetric fistula globally.
Why a Human Rights perspective?
While obstetric fistula is a preventable medical condition, approaching it from a Human Rights perspective demonstrates the wider social, economic and health dimensions that can lead to the injury and to explore the diverse ways in which to unlock many more resources to support and prevent it.
From a human rights ‘lens’ we understand that the experience of obstetric fistula encompasses and the resources that we can access:
Focusing on the Empowerment of Women
Promoting Gender Equality
Improved and accessible Information and Education for women and their communities, health workers, local government
Awareness Raising about the Dignity of Women
Advocacy for a Human Rights perspective
Statements at the Human Rights Council to ensure the inclusion of supports for women at risk of or living with obstetric fistula
Engaging with the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights for sharing and accessing information and awareness raising about the wider UN human rights mechanisms
Lobbying Governments at the local, national and international level to emphasise the prevention of obstetric fistula in their development and health policies and plans
Encouraging NGOs working across countries on health issues to be aware of women living with or at risk of obstetric fistula to respond to their unique healthcare requirements
Inviting NGOs and community-based organisations working across diverse areas of human development and human rights to include the prevention of obstetric fistula as an area of concern throughout their projects and programmes
Latest News
Events
SafeBirth4All - Campaign Launch
On Tuesday, 21st May, 2024 the SafeBirth4All Campaign was launched in St. Stephen's Green Club in Dublin, to read more about this campaign click here.
SafeBirth4All - Webinar
Webinar - SafeBirth4All - A Human Rights Issue
Obstetric Fistula is a multifaceted challenge faced by many thousands of women each year. This event explores the physiological, psycho-social, economic, and cultural dimensions, underscoring the condition as a critical human rights issue.
Click below to view this webinar, where the conversation goes beyond conventional frameworks and sheds light on the challenges faced by those who are often left behind.
Mrs. Sabina Higgins - SafeBirth4All
