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International Day to End Obstetric Fistula

Imagine enduring a childbirth injury that leaves you incontinent, isolated, and in constant discomfort. This is the harsh reality for many women suffering from obstetric fistula—a hole between the birth canal and bladder or rectum caused by prolonged, obstructed labor without timely medical intervention.

Body & Health Healthcare45

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Drive awareness and donations for maternal health initiatives by positioning your organization as a champion of women's healthcare equity and fistula prevention in underserved regions.

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Share survivor stories and recovery journeys to humanize the impact of obstetric fistula
Highlight how donations fund life-changing surgeries and rehabilitation programs in low-resource settings
Partner with healthcare professionals to educate audiences on prevention and early intervention
Amplify policy advocacy calls-to-action targeting maternal health infrastructure improvements

History

In December 2012, the United Nations General Assembly officially established the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula. This decision aimed to raise awareness about obstetric fistula, a severe childbirth injury affecting many women in low-resource settings.

The first observance of this day took place on 23 May 2013. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) leads the global Campaign to End Fistula, working alongside various partners to address and eliminate this condition.

The campaign focuses on the prevention, treatment, and social reintegration of affected women. Despite progress, obstetric fistula continues to impact many women, highlighting the need for ongoing efforts to improve maternal health care.

By observing this day, the international community emphasizes the importance of quality maternal health services. The goal is to ensure that no woman suffers from this preventable and treatable condition.

Through continued awareness and action, we can work towards a future where obstetric fistula is eradicated worldwide. This requires collaboration, investment, and commitment from all sectors of society.

How to celebrate

Educate Yourself and Others

Begin by learning about obstetric fistula—its causes, effects, and prevention. Share this knowledge with friends and family to spread awareness. Understanding the issue is the first step toward making a difference.

Support Relevant Organizations

Many organizations work tirelessly to prevent and treat obstetric fistula. Consider donating to reputable groups like the Fistula Foundation. Your contributions can fund surgeries and support rehabilitation efforts.

Host Community Events

Organize local events such as workshops or seminars to inform others about obstetric fistula. These gatherings can foster community involvement and encourage collective action. Collaborate with healthcare professionals to provide accurate information.

Engage on Social Media

Utilize social media platforms to amplify the message. Share stories, statistics, and resources using hashtags like #EndFistula. This digital engagement can reach a broader audience and inspire others to join the cause.

Advocate for Policy Changes

Contact local representatives to discuss the importance of maternal health policies. Advocacy can lead to improved healthcare services and support for women at risk of obstetric fistula. Your voice can influence systemic change.

FAQ

What causes obstetric fistula and who is most at risk?

Obstetric fistula most often results from prolonged, obstructed labor when a woman cannot access timely cesarean or assisted delivery. Continuous pressure from the baby’s head cuts off blood supply to the tissues between the birth canal and bladder or rectum, leading to tissue death and a hole that causes constant leakage of urine or feces. Girls who become pregnant before their bodies are fully grown, women in rural areas without emergency obstetric care, those who deliver at home without skilled attendants, and women with limited access to prenatal care face the highest risk. Malnutrition, short stature, and harmful practices such as child marriage also increase vulnerability.

Is obstetric fistula still common today and where does it occur most often?

Obstetric fistula is now rare in high income countries because most births take place with skilled attendants and surgery is available for complicated labors. It remains a serious problem in parts of sub-Saharan Africa and Asia where health systems are under-resourced and many women give birth without access to emergency obstetric care. The World Health Organization estimates that hundreds of thousands of women are living with untreated fistula, with thousands of new cases occurring each year, mostly among the poorest and most marginalized women.

How is obstetric fistula treated and what is the success rate of surgery?

Most obstetric fistulas can be repaired with a specialized surgical procedure that closes the hole and restores continence. The operation is usually performed by trained fistula surgeons in dedicated centers or hospitals, and in uncomplicated cases has a success rate of 80 to 95 percent when done by experienced teams. Recovery typically requires several days in the hospital followed by weeks of rest, counseling, and instructions to delay future pregnancy until healing is complete. Complex cases or women who have lived with fistula for many years may need more than one surgery or additional rehabilitation.

Can obstetric fistula be prevented, and if so, how?

Obstetric fistula is largely preventable by ensuring access to quality maternal health care before, during, and after childbirth. Key measures include delaying pregnancy until adulthood, providing family planning to space births, offering skilled care during labor, and guaranteeing timely access to cesarean section or assisted delivery when labor becomes obstructed. Strengthening health systems, improving roads and transport to facilities, reducing child marriage, addressing malnutrition, and educating communities about the danger signs in pregnancy all contribute to prevention. When complications are managed promptly, the prolonged pressure that causes fistula does not occur.

What are the social and psychological impacts on women living with obstetric fistula?

Beyond constant leakage and infections, women with obstetric fistula often experience deep social isolation and emotional distress. Families and communities may reject them because of odor and misconceptions about the condition, leading to divorce, loss of livelihood, and extreme poverty. Many survivors report depression, shame, and loss of self-esteem. Programs that combine surgical repair with counseling, peer support, literacy or skills training, and help returning to their communities have been shown to improve mental health and restore social roles after treatment.

Is it safe for a woman who has had obstetric fistula repair to become pregnant again?

Many women can safely become pregnant after successful fistula repair, but future pregnancies require careful planning. Health experts recommend waiting a period of time, often at least 12 months, to allow complete healing and then delivering in a facility with skilled staff, usually by planned cesarean section to protect the repair. Counseling about birth spacing and contraception is an important part of post-surgery care so women can make informed choices and reduce the risk of another obstructed labor or fistula recurrence. Individual recommendations depend on the type and severity of the original injury and the outcome of the repair.

What misconceptions exist about obstetric fistula in many communities?

In some settings obstetric fistula is wrongly believed to be caused by curses, infidelity, or sexually transmitted infections rather than obstructed labor and lack of medical care. These myths can intensify stigma and delay women from seeking treatment that could cure them. Another misconception is that fistula is rare or untreatable, when in fact thousands of women live with it and many can be helped with a single surgery. Public education that explains the medical causes, the availability of free or low cost repair, and the importance of skilled birth care helps correct these beliefs and encourages earlier care seeking.