Feature story
Originally published in 2023 to equip churches with practical, pastoral, and advocacy tools, the guide explains obstetric fistula—a preventable childbirth injury caused by prolonged, obstructed labour—and outlines steps for prevention and support. Its translation into Hausa, widely spoken across northern Nigeria, is intended to expand access to community-level education.
The publication launch event, held in Adamawa State in Nigeria, convened Christian and Muslim leaders from across 19 northern states, alongside health partners and women affected by fistula. The programme combined the release of the guide with a broader interfaith consultation on maternal health, social cohesion, and community engagement.
Testimonies from women highlighted recurring risk factors: early marriage, often between ages 15 and 18; prolonged labour without timely medical intervention; and reliance on untrained birth attendants. Several participants reported undergoing multiple unsuccessful surgeries, while others continue to live with incontinence. The condition—an abnormal opening between the birth canal and the bladder or rectum—results in continuous leakage of urine or faeces and is associated with stigma, isolation, and economic hardship.
Participants also pointed to systemic gaps, including limited access to skilled maternal care, under-resourced health facilities, and weak referral systems. Cultural practices, such as early marriage and inadequate nutrition, were identified as contributing factors, alongside the impact of insecurity in parts of the region.
In a goodwill message, Joel Manzo, president of the Gongola Baptist Conference and chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, described the Hausa guide as a practical resource for community engagement and prevention efforts, and affirmed support for its dissemination.
The programme also served as a platform for interfaith dialogue. Abdullahi Njidda Damare, coordinator of the North East Inter Faith Mediation Centre, raised concerns about rising religious tensions, particularly on social media, and called for coordinated action by faith leaders to address divisive narratives and promote peaceful coexistence.
Other contributors included representatives of the United Nations Population Fund, including a message from UNFPA Nigeria Resident Representative, Ms. Muriel Mafico, regional church leaders, and Muslim clerics, reflecting a cross-section of stakeholders engaged in both health advocacy and interreligious cooperation.
Discussions during the consultation emphasized prevention as a priority, alongside the need to expand access to surgical repair, which remains costly. The United Nations Population Fund indicated support for facilitating access to treatment, including through health insurance mechanisms, while also engaging in follow-up coordination with government and local actors.
Religious leaders acknowledged limited prior awareness of obstetric fistula and committed to using sermons, community platforms, and media to raise awareness, discourage early marriage, and support affected women. A joint commitment statement adopted at the meeting outlines actions to promote timely healthcare, address stigma, and support inclusion.
The consultation also identified psychosocial care as a critical component of response, alongside medical treatment, particularly for women facing long-term social exclusion.
Organizers highlighted interfaith collaboration as a key outcome, with plans to develop additional faith-based educational materials and expand outreach. The Hausa translation of the guide is expected to support dissemination of prevention messages through religious networks and grassroots structures.
Participants agreed on next steps, including follow-up meetings with partners, development of training resources, and monitoring of commitments made during the consultation. The initiative is positioned as a model for integrating public health education with interfaith engagement in addressing preventable maternal health conditions.
Free download of the WCC publication: "A Guide for Churches on the Prevention of Obstetric Fistula"
"WCC guide raises awareness of obstetric fistula", WCC news release, 26 October 2023
