The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) recently released its annual State of World Population (SWOP) report for 2021. The 2021 SWOP report highlights issues relating to reproductive and sexual health. This year’s report focuses on the theme of bodily autonomy, the power of women to make decisions about their own bodies. The report details a […]...
Using data from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey, a recent 2021 study by Woldia University (published 7 July 2021) in Ethiopia has identified obstetric fistula as a devastating obstetric issue in Ethiopia with continued prevalence. The study looked at 7,590 women over five years who had given birth and found that of these […]...
An important tool in systematically eradicating obstetric fistula is understanding the state of women’s health and development. Through the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) data dashboard, we can better understand population trends in Ethiopia and how to appropriately meet the maternal health needs of women in Ethiopia. This data – and Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia’s work […]...
Since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic, the world has seen an unprecedented strain on health care systems. As we progress through the pandemic, Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia is working harder than ever to progress in our fight to end obstetric fistula, forever. Last year, we closely considered COVID-19’s impact on maternal health […]...
The United Nations’ Report on Obstetric Fistula 2020 calls for a surge in efforts to eradicate obstetric fistula. The report outlines the gender and socioeconomic inequalities which result in fistula, as well as the measures necessary for the eradication of fistula by 2030. Highlighting the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has created for women in […]...
Statement by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem on the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula Last November, the world convened in Nairobi to celebrate the tremendous gains of the past 25 years in advancing the health and rights of women and girls. With a deep sense of urgency, purpose and hope, leaders from around […]...
On 10th December over 100 stakeholders, advocates and dignitaries attended an advocacy event organised by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Ethiopian Ministry of Women, Children and Youth Affairs, and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission. With the aim of influencing public policy and the means of eliminating discrimination and gender biases, the event highlighted […]...
The heartbreaking reality of an obstetric fistula injury for women in sub-Saharan Africa is that its consequences go far beyond the physical damage caused by the traumatic childbirth. For women suffering from fistula, the constant leakage of urine and/or faeces leads to inescapable stigmatisation within their communities that often results in social isolation. Due to […]...
“…we cannot achieve our goals without each other. Partnership is not an option, it is a must” – Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation and former Vice-Chair of PMNCH The Hamlin – PMNCH Partnership Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation recognises that the enormous task of eradicating obstetric fistula forever cannot be achieved […]...
On 12th-14th November over 9,500 participants from more than 170 countries convened at the Nairobi Summit on the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD25). The Summit marked the 25th anniversary of the first International Conference on Population and Development held in Cairo, where leaders came together to support the empowerment of women and girls […]...
The maternal mortality rate in Ethiopia has dropped by 70% in recent decades, according to the Ministry of Health Ethiopia (1). Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia has made a significant contribution to reducing maternal deaths by increasing access to quality maternal healthcare, especially in under-serviced rural areas. Maternal mortality reducing In 1990, the World Health Organisation […]...
By: Dr Alison Morgan, Head, Maternal Sexual and Reproductive Health Unit, Nossal Institute for Global Health, University of Melbourne Measuring the Numbers of Untreated Obstetric Fistula: The Example of Ethiopia While Ethiopia has experienced a reduction in the number of obstetric fistula cases over the last 10 years, estimating the number of women who have untreated obstetric fistula […]...
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