In 2012, the United Nations established May 23rd as an International Day of Observance to raise awareness around obstetric fistula. The goal is to raise awareness about this severe childbirth injury effecting women around the globe in low-resource settings.
This International Day to End Obstetric Fistula (IDEOF), we wanted to take a moment to reflect on the important tasks ahead while not forgetting the full person in front of us. We reached out to our program leaders to share their unique perspective and what they want people to know about the women they serve. #SheIsUs
As WFF Board member, Christina Machaby Lee PT, DPT puts it, “It takes a community of skilled providers and community partners to implement this holistic model of care and our dedication to supporting care for the whole woman is unique to the mission of WFF.”
Here’s what we heard from those dedicated partners:
Fistula care goes beyond closing a hole to stop urine leakage. It is about restoring a whole human being affected by physical and psychological trauma. That is why at ARENA we say: ‘Heal a woman, Restore a Family.’ I feel privileged to be part of a multidisciplinary team committed to this holistic approach, which enable us to experience the impact of survivors in the community such as speechless women becoming advocates for women health and rights.
Fistula Survivors are some of the strongest, most resilient women you will ever meet…These women have refused to be defined by their condition; they have grown into formidable leaders, caregivers, entrepreneurs, and change-makers in their communities. Our Fistula Survivors are not victims, rising from silence and shame to strength and purpose, turning their pain to gain. They have managed to accumulate wealth, immensely contributing to Kenya’s economic growth. They have become an unstoppable voice in the campaign to end obstetric fistula and LEFI’s ambassadors in making motherhood safe for every woman.
These women are absolutely incredible! Their resilience and strength despite all they’ve endured is truly remarkable and inspiring. Though they’ve suffered (and some continue to suffer), they don’t let their struggles define them. They continue to grow and laugh and have hope!
Dr. Porter also provided some inspirational words about what it is like to provide such transformational care to women that come to their Center: “We get to be with women in perhaps the most vulnerable time of their life and offer them hope, healing, and a way forward! We get to show them they are not alone in their struggles and that they matter!”
I think people can sometimes picture the women we support as helpless and vulnerable. While they are often going through very vulnerable periods in their lives and in need of significant support, they are also incredibly strong, resilient and inspiring women from whom we can all learn a great deal… I hope people can see and celebrate this strength.
YOU can also be a part of the movement to #EndFistula. Want to get involved? Visit our IDEOF page to learn how you can help. WFF lifts up and supports IDEOF so that collectively, we can work towards the goal to end obstetric fistula by 2030 as outlined in the 2018 UN General Assembly resolution. Read the UN Resolution
