International Day to End Obstetric Fistula observed on 23 May

International Day to End Obstetric Fistula observed on 23 May

The International Day to End Obstetric Fistula is observed on 23 May every year. The theme of International Day to End Obstetric Fistula 2020 is "End gender inequality! End health inequities! End Fistula now!".

Key Points:

• Obstetric Fistula is among the most severe and tragic injuries that can happen at childbirth.
• The United Nations General Assembly passed the resolution A/RES/67/147 and utilizes the International Day to increase awareness and intensify actions towards ending Obstetric Fistula significantly.
• The Obstetric Fistula condition generally leaves women incontinent, due to which they are often shunned by their society, and they live in the condition for years and decades due to non-availability of proper treatment.
• Around 2 million women in Asia, the Arab region, sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, and the Caribbean are living with the injury, and around some 50,000 to 100,000 new cases develop each year.
• The women suffering from the condition have to go through social isolation, depression, and increasing poverty.
• Obstetric Fistula is completely preventable, but its presence still is a sign of inadequate health systems.