Achieving Zero Obstetric Fistula by 2030 requires concerted efforts from governments, development partners, regional bodies, women and youth organizations, the private sector, community leaders, and ordinary citizens to raise awareness and invest in the elimination of obstetric fistula. As such, UNFPA in partnership with the governments of The Gambia, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, and Togo, organised a side event at the 77th United Nations General Assembly on Friday, 23 September 2022, in New York. The global launch call for action to scale-up efforts to eliminate obstetric fistula in West and Central Africa by 2030. The high-level side event brought together the First Ladies of The Gambia, Côte d'Ivoire and the Ministers of Health and Gender, Family and Children from Burkina, and Togo, Representatives of Permanent Missions, and Development Partners to build and strengthen partnerships among key stakeholders, towards increasing commitment to mobilise resources to address obstetric fistula in West and Central Africa.

Speaking at the Launch First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia, Madame Fatoumatta Bah Barrow,

We will continue to advocate for stronger laws and their implementation to end child marriage and other harmful practices that increase the risk of Fistula. Through my office, I will work with the Government and other partners to strengthen the enforcement to ban FGM, and child marriage which are underlying factors that lead to fistula.

 She further emphasized on the need to empower women to raise awareness using more strategic mechanisms and efforts to scale up possible solutions to end fistula. By so doing, this would ensure the reproductive health and rights of all women and girls are addressed.

The continued occurrence of obstetric fistula is a human rights violation, reflecting the marginalization of those affected and the failure of health systems to meet their needs, Therefore, UNFPA is committed to ensuring no woman lives with fistula, especially in hard-to-reach communities by strengthening the healthcare delivery system and ensuring swift repair on women who are suffering from fistula in The Gambia.

***

Media contact: Faith C. Ememodo – UNV Communications Associate ememodo@unfpa.org