May 23, is the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula. The day promotes actions towards treating and preventing obstetric fistula. Obstetric fistula is one of the most serious and tragic injuries that can occur during childbirth. It is a hole between the birth canal and the bladder or rectum caused by prolonged, obstructed labour without treatment. According to the Nigerian National Strategic Framework, 2008, about 6,000 fistula repairs are performed every year in Nigeria but more than 148,000 women are on the waiting list for surgery. It added that some of the VVF centres do not have enough beds or adequate electricity to operate. Due to COVID-19, it is expected that 13 million more child marriages could take place by 2030 than would have otherwise. Families are more likely to marry off daughters to alleviate the perceived burden of caring for them, especially in the anticipated economic fallout of the pandemic. The 2020 theme for this year's Observance speaks up a clear message: "End gender inequality! End health inequities! End Fistula now!". Women and girls at risk of living with fistula faced structural and systemic barriers to care before the pandemic. As health systems across the globe struggle to cope with the COVID-19 response, sexual and reproductive health services risk being sidelined. Denial or lack of access to sexual and reproductive health services is especially devastating for women and girls who are already dealing with economic, social, cultural, and logistical barriers. The pandemic is deepening pre-existing inequalities (including gender inequalities), exposing vulnerabilities in social and economic systems which are in turn amplifying the impacts of the pandemic. EWEI stands with the fact that prevention and treatment of obstetric fistula contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3, which is ensuring healthy lives; in this case, improving maternal health. @unfpa @unfpanigeria @who @untrustfundevaw @whonigeria #EndFistula #EWEIEndFistula https://www.instagram.com/p/CAhaJP6gqu8/?igshid=1dmr2ivpg19k6
