The Executive Director of Henry Djaba Foundation and former Minister for
Gender, Children and Social Protection, Madam Otiko Afisah Djaba has
derisively slammed those irresponsible men who lasciviously subject
their wives who become victims of obstetric fistula to different kinds
of abuse.
Saying, “It is sad that fistula occurs to only women. In fact, I am
praying to God to allow men to also experience fistula so that they can
appreciate and respect women who have the condition”.
According to her, it was highly unacceptable for any man to victimize,
abandon, stigmatize, divorce or chase away their wives on the account of
their obstetric fistula condition, which resulted from difficulty or
complications in child delivery.
Speaking on her live TV talk show “Let’s Talk Ability” on TV3, Madam
Otiko Djaba fumed, after some health experts on the show gave some
revealing accounts on how majority of obstetric fistula victims are
being subjected to different forms of abuse, torture, discrimination and
social exclusion among others mostly masterminded by their own husbands
and close relatives.
The renowned international gender activist coached the men to always
give the fistula victims much attention, support, care, and love but not
to torture them physically and emotionally.
Giving birth to children inarguably is supposed to be a source of great
joy and fulfillment of dream for every woman especially those in
legitimate marriage. In typical African or Ghanaian setups, many married
women have lost their marriages or have been harshly chased out of
their matrimonial homes by their in-laws for their inability to give
birth to children after years in marriage.
However, childbearing in Ghana and some parts of Africa has become a
monstrous journey in the lives of many women as the supposed joyous
expedition is now associated with several dangers and complications
which most at times frighten many women and limit their interest in
having children.
Many women in Ghana have died/lost their lives while giving birth to
children. Others have also developed complications during pregnancy such
as bleeding from the vagina, sudden swelling of the hands or face, pain
in the abdomen, severe headaches, dizziness, persistent vomiting and
blurred vision among others which can even be described as “minor
problems”.
Some of the women with bacterial, viral or parasitic infections before
or during pregnancy mostly face complications resulting from urinary
tract infection, bacterial vaginosis, cytomegalovirus, hepatitis B
virus, yeast infection, and toxoplasmosis, which is an infection caused
by a parasite found in cat faeces and raw meat.
Obstetric Fistula
However, one of the dangerous conditions derailing or stunning the
pride and dignity of many Ghanaian women in silence is obstetric
fistula.
About 100,000 to 150, 000 expectant women in the world suffer from fistula each year with young girls being the most affected.
Obstetric Fistula is caused by prolonged and obstructed labour, which
injures the pelvic tissue that raptures the bladder resulting in
uncontrollable leakage of urine or faeces.
Major contributing factors include poverty, illiteracy, low status of
women and gender inequality, malnutrition, adolescent pregnancy, lack of
awareness, socio-cultural practices, lack of access to family planning
and emergency obstetric care.
Many people in Ghana are unaware of the devastating condition which makes it precarious for the victims.
In Ghana, at least 700 new cases of fistula are recorded every year.
Majority of women who have this condition are living in isolation due to
the rejection and stigmatization they face from relatives, friends, and
society, even though it is not infectious.
This condition prevails in all 10 regions of Ghana, but the Northern
region has the highest prevalence, followed by Ashanti, Western,
Central, and the Upper Regions. Currently, there are two main hospitals
which offer dedicated Fistula care – Mercy Women’s Catholic Hospital at
Mankessim-Central region and Tamale Fistula Center, Tamale Central
Hospital in the Northern region.
