23 May 2022, The Gambia

Millions of women worldwide suffer from obstetric fistula, a preventable childbirth injury that causes incontinence and lifelong stigma. In The Gambia, the Foundation for Research on Women’s Health, Productivity and the Environment (BAFROW), with support from the International Development Bank (IDB), has been working for over a decade to prevent, treat and end this devastating condition.

“Ending obstetric fistula by 2030 will be challenging, as many women remain silent due to stigma. This invisibility denies them access to life-changing surgical and rehabilitation services,” said Ms. Fatou Waggeh, Executive Director of BAFROW.

This year, BAFROW is scaling up its Well Woman and Family Health Clinic in Mandinaba Village to expand early detection and intervention for pregnancy complications. In addition, a new fistula database—supported by IDB—will help close critical data gaps, guiding national stakeholders toward coordinated and sustainable solutions.

On this International Day, BAFROW is intensifying awareness campaigns targeting communities, policymakers and decision-makers. Key priorities include:

• Expanding emergency obstetric and neonatal care to more communities
• Addressing harmful practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM) and teenage pregnancy
• Institutionalizing reproductive health education in both formal and non-formal settings

“Together with government and partners, we remain committed to building an obstetric fistula-free future for generations of Gambian women and girls,” Ms. Waggeh concluded.