62 138. Supporting efforts to end obstetric fistula

One of the consequences of such traditional practices, particularly early marriage, is obstetric fistula.

In February 2005, Virgin Unite and UNFPA, along with several other partners, collaborated in organizing a fistula fortnight a two week fistula advocacy, training and treatment event in Nigeria.

Welcoming the contribution by Member States, the international community and civil society to the global Campaign to End Fistula, bearing in mind that a people centred approach to social and economic development is fundamental to protecting and empowering individuals and communities,

(d) To develop a national strategy of prevention and treatment to effectively address the condition of obstetric fistula and to further develop a multisectoral, comprehensive and integrated approach to bring about lasting solutions and a meaningful response to the problem of obstetric fistula and related morbidities

Reduced complication rates even for third degree repair (e.g., fistula rates below 5 ) have been reported in recent years from centers with the most experience, and surgical repair is now performed for the vast majority of infants with hypospadias.

2. Stresses the need to address the social issues that contribute to the problem of obstetric fistula, such as early marriage of the girl child, early pregnancy, lack of access to sexual and reproductive health, lack of or inadequate education of girls, poverty and low status of women and girls

Infant mortality rates are relatively very high, as over 8 of infants die during or shortly after childbirth, (although this is a dramatic decrease from 16 in 1965) while birth related complications such as obstetric fistula affect many of the nation's women.