Basic human biology dictates that, so far, women bear the children necessary to continue the species. In the past, and unfortunately still today, that reality has been exploited, particularly by men, to relegate women to second-class status. That attitude is unacceptable for civilized people. Women need to be able to make their own decisions about their lives, and that begins with their decision if and when to have children. Child-bearing is a profound and, in some respects, dangerous activity for each woman and each woman should have the best possible health care to insure that both her health and the health of any child she chooses to bear are fully protected. Abortion should be legal, safe and rare. Effective early family planning programs and sex education, for both women and men, are essential to prevent unplanned and unwanted pregnancies as a way to reduce the need for abortion.

In many countries, medical care is so poor that most women go into labor unattended by any medical professional. The result is often an obstructed labor resulting in a kind of injury called “obstetric fistula” which leaves the woman incontinent and an outcast from her community. Over 2 million women are today suffering from this terrible injury, and 90,000 to 150,000 new cases occur each year. This issue is the primary focus of Devon Creek Foundation.

Thanks to Alice Emasu and Terrewode; Kristie McLean and her work on fistula issues; Lucy Baxter and Mandrake Films; and Al Jazeera for allowing us to include their videos.

If you would like to assist organizations that are working on this important issue, there are many treating fistula victims and empowering women to prevent fistula.

Here are some of them:

World Wide Fistula Fund
Hamlin Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital
Fistula Foundation
Days for Girls
Dignity Period
Women and Health Alliance International
Doctors Without Borders
Uganda Fistula Fund for Terrewode