Project Lead(s): Aturo Emasu
Issue
Obstetric fistula – a childbirth injury from difficult labour – has left three million women in developing countries with incontinence.
Emergency obstetrical care is rare and women are often disempowered from seeking it.
Solution
Implemented in Uganda, the project developed a grassroots social network to identify, treat and reintegrate obstetric fistula patients, while developing projects and activities to generate funds to support a revolving loan program for economic empowerment of survivors.
A grassroots educational program was carried out, using drama and acting to increase awareness and advocacy, and to generate funds to support the loan program.
A network comprised of community volunteers, opinion leaders, women’s groups, district managers and law enforcement officers was established to address the challenge of locating the isolated women and securing treatment and services.
Outcome
Results of the program showed an increased level of community awareness about the issue, with a concomitant increase in the number of patients identified and treated for obstetric fistula through the network, and the number of fistula survivors benefiting from revolving loan programs.
Through Fistula Survivors’ Solidarity groups, treated women were able to put up spirited performances aimed at promoting awareness on fistula before large audiences, both at local and national levels.
More than 2,000 women were identified through the program, of whom 1,046 received support and treatment during the project period.
A total of 30 members of the Fistula Survivors’ Solidarity groups are earning incomes from their drama performances.
The project attracted funding from other development partners, whose interests were to support the treatment of the identified women and girls affected by fistula.
These included the Fistula Foundation–USA, World Fistula Fund–USA and the Islamic Development Bank. Their contributions enabled free fistula surgeries for the over 1,000 women treated during the project period.
The project team plans on applying for Phase II Transition To Scale funding to implement a holistic strategy for social reintegration of fistula survivors, by addressing both their social and economic needs.