Updates

BAFROW joins the rest of the world to mark the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, celebrated every year on May 23. This day has been identified and set aside by the United Nations to encourage actions towards preventing and treating obstetric fistula.

Obstetric fistula is a serious but preventable injury which affects about two million women and girls in developing countries, including The Gambia. It is an injury that deprives women of their dignity, self-respect and self-pride while at the same time making them pariahs within their communities. Studies have shown that situations such as poor nutrition, lack of education, early marriage and pregnancy, home-delivery with unskilled attendants, late arrival at and difficult access to health facilities, and limited emergency obstetric care can contribute to obstetric fistulas.

BAFROW has been treating and working with women affected by obstetric fistula since 2010 under our Obstetric Fistula Prevention, Treatment, Rehabilitation and Re-integration programme. Find out more about our work in this area.