COVID-19 and the International Day To End Obstetric Fistula
COVID-19 and the International Day To End Obstetric Fistula The first day I accompanied a young woman with Fistula complications to a hospital 100 miles away from her home, is the day I embraced feminism fully. I would say fully, because up until then I was doing what many others were doing: social justice and rights activism, explaining, affirming womanhood and ensuring safe motherhood. But when I sat next to a woman who had uncontrollable flatulence, whose urine and feaces were let loose every time the car hit a pothole, I was baptized. I did not become a feminist to add extra accolades to my resume. I became one to heal women in rural Africa. Most especially, I was interested in Fistula correction surgery. Fistula is real and it can be the cause of trauma, isolation and self-hate by those who suffer from it. We sat next to each other but I noticed she was uncomfortable. I assured her that it was okay to pass the wind, to pee in her pampers and that we shall...