The United Nations Population Fund and its partners are committed to eliminating obstetric fistula in Burkina Faso by 2030, because they consider that losing stools or urine, are serious violations of women’s rights.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) held on Friday, July 28, 2023 in Ouagadougou, a national consultation of the donor coalition for the elimination of obstetric fistula in Burkina Faso by 2030.
The meeting saw the presence of the Burkinabè government and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium in Burkina Faso, very committed to the cause.
At the end of the work, the Minister of Health and Public Hygiene, Dr Robert Kargougou, indicated that according to underestimated figures dating from 2019, more than 17,000 women have obstetric fistulas.
“These women experience a tragedy when they lose urine or stools in an uncontrolled way,” sympathized the minister.
He pointed out that these women are marginalized and are almost no longer part of society.
“It is a real tragedy and it is extremely important that we get out of inaction,” recommended the minister.
The Resident Representative of UNFPA indicated that this national consultation is a strategic opportunity to bring together the various partners involved in the fight against this devastating condition.
He invited the partners to seize this unique opportunity to respond to the call for action launched by the Burkinabè government, through “the investment case”.
The UNFPA Representative wants the eradication in the near future of what he describes as a serious violation of women’s rights.
Minister Kargougou underlined that this consultation made it possible to realize that bilateral and multilateral partners, banks, civil society and the private sector, are committed to financing the investment file.
The Minister in charge of Gender Nandy Somé Diallo specified that this initiative constitutes an investment opportunity within the framework of corporate social responsibility and a pledge of sustainability of funding, aimed at supporting the improvement of health and well-being. be women and girls of Burkina Faso.
Belgian Ambassador Jean-Jacques Quairiat recalled that his country has provided financial support to several structures including UNFPA for the repair of obstetric fistula and the sequelae of female circumcision.
Source: Burkina Information Agency