Women’s Health Shouldn’t Be Controlled By Cultural Beliefs
Chioma Umeha Chief Iyeme Efem, Country Programme Manager USAID Fistula Care Project says the welfare and wellbeing of women should not be dictated by backward cultural beliefs and myths. He said Fistula has nothing to do with witch craft. “It is entirely a result of complications in childbirth,” he said in response to a video shown as part of activities marking the International Day to end Fistula in Abakaliki. May 23 marks the annual International Day to End Fistula (IDEOF). Set aside by the United Nations, the day is meant to rally support and draw attention to activities targeting the elimination of fistula around the world. Annual commemorations help to raise awareness and remove taboos and misconceptions around fistula, with the goal of alleviating the burden on persons affected by the condition. An obstetric fistula is a hole between the vagina and rectum or bladder that is caused by prolonged obstructed labour, leaving a woman incontinent of urine or f