By Sky News producer Sophie Garratt, travelling to Nigeria with Natalie Imbruglia
Her baby was stillborn, her husband rejected her, and her neighbours banned her from the village. And she’s 15 years old.
It sounds harsh, but this is what hundreds of thousands of women here are facing. The reason - they suffer from a medical condition that many cultures shy away from discussing.
Obstetric fistula – wiped out in the UK over 100 years ago - is a hole in the birth canal caused by prolonged labour without medical intervention.
The woman is left with chronic incontinence and, in most cases, a stillborn baby.
The smell is constant and humiliating, often driving loved ones away and forcing women to leave their community.
A simple surgical procedure can normally repair the injury, at an average cost of £170.
Sadly, most women with the condition do not know that treatment is available, or they simply can’t afford it.
Picture: Lucian Read / WpN / UNFPA
Since 2005, singer and actress Natalie Imbruglia has been a spokeswoman for the 'Campaign to End Fistula’, an international effort led by the United Nations Population Fund.
Imbruglia - a 'music movement 'ambassador for Virgin Unite - makes regular visits to Nigeria, where new clinics and rehabilitation facilities have been built.
The little known childbearing condition is a taboo subject under many cultures.
"For some people, fistula is a difficult issue to talk about. But that discomfort pales in comparison to what women living with fistula face every day," Imbruglia explains.
"I don't want to be part of the silence. I want to do everything I can to make a difference in these women's lives."
“Fistula is not something that [these girls] are able to talk about,” says Imbruglia. “It's a very shameful thing. How do you speak about the unspeakable? They need a voice, and I'm happy to do it.”
Natalie and a team from the UN Population Fund and Virgin Unite are returning to Nigeria to visit areas worst hit by the condition.
We’re accompanying her on the trip, and starting on Monday she’ll be writing a diary for Sky News, logging her observations and reactions.
:: For more information on the campaign, go to www.EndFistula.org
Bravo! I admire Sophie's brilliant effort in trying to eradicate a disease that has lingered for so long...we hope to get more from other good volunteers. Thanks.
Posted by: Fred Itua, Lagos - Nigeria 30 Jan 2008 18:44:55
Respect and admiration to Natalie, Sophie, and everyone else helping eradicate this horrible condition. It's inspiring to see how much one human being can achieve.
Posted by: Portia UK 11 Dec 2007 21:59:21
kudos natalie, i have been in Abuja working with the local teachers',what a priviledge of an opportunity
Posted by: nike byass 9 Dec 2007 19:51:17
Many thanks to Nathalie for doing this for Nigerians.
I wish and pray that those in power in Nigeria will start to think of caring for thier people instead of looting the country.
God bless you Nathelie and all those working with you.
Posted by: catherine from London 7 Dec 2007 13:42:08
Congratulations Nathalie for doing that.
It's great
Posted by: Chris de Broglio 6 Dec 2007 15:53:07
Great effort by a woman i have seen grow from girl to Woman. these issues should be spear headed by the government but i guess this is not a priority and it should be. How can we help you in this effort. There is a large Nigerian community in England who are not bound by cultural limitations. i personally can start raising funds from my local church. kindly get in touch so we can volunteer and raise funds.
Posted by: Sowari. Potters Bar England 5 Dec 2007 17:11:58
its being a nagging and hazardous experience for those who happened to be a victim of such deadly disease,and we hope this visit would be a way forward towards its total eradication
Posted by: tajudeen sufi nigeria 5 Dec 2007 14:06:52
Maam
Being of the species that not carries the child, but provides the seeds for many a medical treatment, I also take issue with the fact that people allow their cultural beliefs to not only harm the healthy development of the upcoming population, but put their own life at risk. However, with due respect to ones inner beliefs, many an "Enigma" can be treated with the help of education, determination and the support of friends, family and colleagues such as Natalie Imbruglia. So, for all intents and purposes, those that can afford to provide such treatment to the people of Nigeria, should indeed do so, whilst at the same time, the governemnt of Nigeria must provide a balanced kitty to ensure that "Silence Must be Heard". May you live long and in peace. (Amen)
Posted by: Khalid 5 Dec 2007 09:54:12
Thank you very much for paying attention to these women who have been cheated out of fruitful lives by malicious traditions/cultures. It is high time someone tries to put an end to it. Thank you so much and God bless you.
Posted by: Titilayo - London 5 Dec 2007 09:24:37