UNFPA Mozambique organized and participated in several events to commemorate the International Day for the End of Obstetric Fistula, today (May 23, 2019). UNFPA joined the Ministry of Health in the official commemorations in the Province of Nampula, where two survivors shared their stories in order to raise awareness about the prevention and treatment of obstetric fistula.

In the capital city, Maputo, UNFPA Mozambique joined Focus Fistula and the Ministry of Health in organizing a lecture hosted by the BCI bank. Dr. Igor Vaz, a fistula surgeon, gave a lecture to a crowd of health professionals, donors, students and members of the general public. There was a photo exhibition of photos of fistula survivors with their stories. Two survivors also shared their stories during the lecture reminding us that fistula can happen to anyone, anywhere. One was a survivor of sexual violence and the other suffered a complication of childbirth at a private hospital in Maputo.

UNFPA also took the opportunity to showcase a video documenting the implementation of a program with the main objective to improve the wellbeing of women and girls living with obstetric fistula in Mozambique and to increase the access to quality treatment in young women and girls through a holistic approach based on the rights to sexual and reproductive health. The program is implemented under the leadership of the Ministry of Health, in cooperation with the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Action, and with civil society organizations, designed in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) with funds from the Government of Canada.