News

Women and girls celebrating after their successful fistula repair surgeries at the Aberdeen Women’s Centre in Freetown © UNFPA Sierra Leone 2018/Angelique Reid

12 June, 2018

Fistula camp helps women and girls in Sierra Leone regain their dignity

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone – “When I became pregnant in December 2016, I never attended a health clinic,” said 19-year-old Katimu Kanneh. “I drank traditional medicines supplied to me by traditional birth attendants in the community.” Ms. Kanneh’s labour was difficult, and without adequate care, her...

23 May, 2018

Leaving no one behind: Let us commit to ending fistula now!

Statement of UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem on the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, 23 May 2018 Pregnancy and childbirth should be among the happiest of occasions in a woman’s life. Unfortunately, this is not the case for many of the world’s poorest and most marginalized...

Margret Rambiki lived with obstetric fistula for 13 years. Finally, her mother learned how she could get relief. © UNFPA Malawi/Henry Chimbali

23 May, 2018

Child bride and fistula survivor becomes an advocate for change

MULANJE DISTRICT, Malawi – Margret Rambiki was just a teenager, married at 14, when she nearly died in childbirth. It was 2002 in the Mulanje District of southern Malawi. A child bride, Ms. Rambiki may have been physically unready for pregnancy. Her labour was prolonged and obstructed, a...