WCC NEWS: Ecumenical partners urge governments to act in prevention of obstetric fistula

During the debate on human rights and obstetric fistula at the 52nd session of the UN Human Rights Council, the World Council of Churches (WCC) with its ecumenical partners called upon governments to pay more attention to the prevention of obstetric fistula in their policies, strategic plans, and budgets. Eva Abel, masters student at the WCC Ecumenical Institute in Bossey from Kenya, delivered the statement on prevention of obstetric fistula on behalf of the WCC and its ecumenical partners at the 52nd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC 20 March 2023 A joint statement of the WCC Commission of the Churches on International Affairs along with Geneva for Human Rights, Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, and Vivat International was delivered on 20 March by Eva Abel from Kenya, masters student at the WCC Ecumenical Institute in Bossey. The statement highlighted the lack of attention by the UN Human Rights Council on the human rights of women suffering the pain, stigma, and discrimination associated with obstetric fistula.  During a recent visit to Madagascar, ecumenical partners explored a draft Strategic Plan for the Elimination of Obstetric Fistula in the country. Whilst estimates vary, there could be more than 4000 new cases every year. Medical facilities have an annual capacity for about 1,500 repair operations—essential for women and girls living with fistula.  “The only appropriate human rights response is the prevention of this devastating condition,” reads the statement, adding that the critical role of adequate midwives in the birthing process cannot be understated, but many women—particularly those delivering in rural areas—do not have access to this service.  “We call upon governments of this council to pay more attention to the prevention of obstetric fistula in their policies, strategic plans, and budgets. Governments must initiate trainings for midwives from local communities, accompanied by incentives to encourage them to return to serve their communities,” said ecumenical partners in their statement at the Human Rights Council. Read the Joint statement of ecumenical partners on prevention of obstetric fistula at the 52nd session of the UN Human Rights Council Churches grow better equipped to help women suffering from obstetric fistula (WCC news release, 06 December 2022) Women suffering from fistula need urgent help (WCC blog, 09 December 2022) Global Health and Wellbeing (WCC Executive committee statement, 12 November 2022) Eva Abel delivers the statement on prevention of obstetric fistula on behalf of the WCC and its ecumenical partners at the 52nd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. Photo: UN Web TV See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland