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Obstetric fistula stories and announcements

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21 Feb 2022 News

Helping fistula survivors to become self-reliant

Ntchisi, Malawi-Although Marita Vula was in pain, she tried as much as possible to ignore it. The 28-year-old was experiencing her first labour pains.

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05 Jan 2022 News

Iceland and UNFPA sign a $7 million agreement to help eliminate obstetric fistula in Sierra Leone

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Iceland and UNFPA have signed a $7 million landmark agreement to help end obstetric fistula in Sierra Leone and improve the lives of the women and girls suffering from this preventable condition. Sierra Leone has one of the highest lifetime risks of pregnancy-related mortality and morbidity, including obstetric fistula. 

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27 May 2021 Video

"I'm capable of everything" - An Obstetric Fistula Survivor's Journey in Mozambique #EndFistula

"I'm capable of everything" - An Obstetric Fistula Survivor's Journey in Mozambique #EndFistula

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21 May 2021 News

In Mozambique, an obstetric fistula survivor's journey from "I was nothing" to "I am capable of everything"

MOCUBA, ZAMBEZIA PROVINCE, Mozambique – Beatriz Sebastião suffered in silence. She had no friends in the neighborhood or at school. When she went to church, she sat alone. When she went to the river, other women mocked her before leaving to bathe elsewhere. 

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23 Jun 2020 Updates

End gender inequality! End health inequities! End fistula now!

Statement by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem on the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula
 

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22 May 2020 News

Safe birth services save lives, prevent childbirth injury in Tanzania

BARIADI, United Republic of Tanzania – Midwife Nuriat Koku Mtumbi remembers the day in March well: “It was raining heavily and Adimu* had delivered her baby on her way to our facility. “She was shielding herself under a tree” when she gave birth, Ms. Mtumbi recalled.
 
Adiumu was in excruciating pain, and bleeding heavily. She could barely move, “but her mother managed to get her here,” Ms. Mtumbi said. The newborn was struggling to breathe.

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22 May 2020 News

In Yemen and around the world, obstetric fistula strikes the most vulnerable women

AL HUDAYDAH, Yemen – Five years ago, Marwa* was a child bride living in the port city of Al Hudaydah. “I was almost 17 years old, and happy with my new life. I was a new bride and I got pregnant fast. I thought life was smiling at me,” she told UNFPA. She had no idea how quickly life would turn upside down.
 

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19 May 2020 Video

#WomenOnTheFrontline: the story of Sahar from Yemen

Sahar survived a painful experience during the birth of her daughter, Sondos. She was then determined to be part of the solution so other women in her community don't experience the same pain.

Two thirds of all reproductive health facilities in Yemen stopped working since the start of the war. This leaves millions of Yemeni women vulnerable to increased rates of maternal mortality and morbidity.

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08 Jan 2020 News

“Never give up hope,” fistula survivor tells Pakistani women

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – “Helping women suffering fistula is my mission in life," Razia Shamshad said about the maternal injury from childbirth that she thought would ruin her life. “No woman deserves to live in misery, especially when it is treatable.”

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