The SafeBirth4All Campaign was officially launched by Mrs. Sabina Higgins on Tuesday, 21st May 2024 at the Stephen’s Green Centre in Dublin.

SafeBirth4All is promoted by a coalition of organisations including the Medical Missionaries of Mary (MMMs), the Association of Leaders of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland (AMRI) and Geneva for Human Rights. The newly launched campaign seeks to raise awareness of the wider issues of human rights and human dignity as it encompasses the realities of the experiences of women and girls who live with, or are at as risk of, obstetric fistula. It focuses on the reality that obstetric fistula is a preventable injury.

The launch began with a powerful video highlighting the stories of two women in Uganda who have lived with obstetric fistula, one for some 50 years. The video was directed and produced by Dearbhla Glynn and Patrick Daly for Yoke Productions. Speakers at the launch included Mr. Ken Gibson, CEO of the Mission to End Leprosy who outlined some of the complexities and opportunities of developing and sustaining an eradication campaign. Sr. Ursula Sharpe, Congregational leader of the MMMs talked of the pioneering work in the field of gynaecology, obstetrics and surgery of the Medical Missionaries of Mary in Nigeria and Uganda through examples of the work of Sr. Drs. Anne Ward and Maura Lynch. Toni Pyke, PhD with AMRI, talked of the need for a SafeBirth4All campaign and Edward Flynn CSSp outlined how the “Safebirth4All campaign has at its heart, human rights, prevention and a holistic approach to reintegration and rehabilitation of women”. He outlined 5 key areas where the issue of obstetric fistula needs to be mainstreamed: education, diplomatic circles, advocacy opportunities, healthcare domains, communications and media. MC for the event Nadia Ramoutar, PhD, Communications Coordinator with the MMMs.

The event was live-streamed on Facebook Live.