How women's group is creating awareness on Fistula

A group of women under the umbrella of Save a Woman Fistula Foundation have come together to create awareness of the condition which they said is not discussed enough. 

The women came together over the weekend to discuss a tool kit which they said would give one details of what they need to know about Obstetric fistula. 

Obstetric fistula is a condition that primarily affects women, usually as a result of prolonged labour during childbirth.

It leads to tissue damage in the pelvic area and as a result women with obstetric fistulas often experience involuntary leakage of urine, feces, or both, through the vaginal opening.

Save a Woman Fistula Foundation Founder and trustee Sharon Korir said the group is working to create a toolkit that will explain what fistula is, its symptoms and where one can get corrective surgery for the condition. 

"This tool kit will be the first of its kind, globally," Korir said. 

Korir, who is a professional lawyer, said she started the foundation after suffering from the condition herself right before the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Korir said women who find themselves with fistula often feel ashamed to come out and talk about it. 

"Women tell me they are scared of sharing what they are going through due to fear of being judged. Some think that women suffering from fistula are dirty," she said. 

Korir said women suffering from fistula feel like they cannot engage in intimacy with their lovers anymore. 

"These women wonder if their pelvic muscles will ever get back to shape, will they ever satisfy a man again sexually. There is always some fear of the unknown and fear of the reality," she said. 

Korir noted that a woman's sexuality is in her vagina adding that when a woman's vagina has been tampered with, they become doubtful of their womanhood. 

"Some were telling me that they don't even know intimacy anymore. They keep telling their husbands excuses not to have sex. They are leaking urine and are scared of sharing because people might think they are dirty or weird," she said. 

Korir said these women feel like they are dead inside. They cannot comfortably go on with their economic activities due to the discomfort that comes with the condition. 

"With fistula, I cannot cook, with fistula I cannot go to the farm, even to the market to sell vegetables. We feel like we are dead alive. Yet we are the backbone of society," Korir said. 

She noted that many husbands tend to leave their wives after they discover they are leaking urine and feces. 

Korir said the condition not only comes with significant physical discomfort but also social isolation and psychological distress. 

Korir said as a conqueror of fistula, she is working to put an end to the condition by ensuring it is discovered and treated early enough to preserve the dignity of a woman. 

"We create awareness, letting people know what it is. Many people don't know what it is. People just hear it from a distance, they don't know its impact, how it affects family," Korir said. 

Through her foundation,  women suffering from fistula reach out to her and she links them up with organisations that offer corrective surgeries. Korir also fundraises for the surgeries. 

"Anyone leaking urine or feces is not dirty or unkempt. It is a condition like any other that can be addressed, women can get corrective surgeries and life can go back to normal."