Maloney Reintroduces Bill to End Obstetric Fistula

WASHINGTON - To end the Bush Administration’s refusal to fund programs that could help save the lives of millions of women and babies around the world, Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) reintroduced the “Repairing Young Women’s Lives around the World Act” (H.R. 2114).  The bipartisan bill would mandate $34 million to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to prevent, treat, and renew the hopes of women suffering from obstetric fistula, a horrific and debilitating condition found predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Arab States. 

In 2002, the Bush Administration de-funded UNFPA - an organization that has launched a global Campaign to End Fistula (www.endfistula.org).  Maloney's bill would direct a voluntary $34 million U.S. contribution to UNFPA strictly for the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of women with obstetric fistula.  The Bush Administration withheld funding to UNFPA amidst erroneous claims the organization supported forced abortions and sterilizations; these claims were eventually debunked by the Administration's own fact-finding team, but UNFPA funding has yet to be restored.

“Women around the world are needlessly suffering from the horrors of obstetric fistula.  Instead of helping women and children in need, the Administration is choosing to turn its back.  My bill will help ease the suffering of women suffering from obstetric fistula and demonstrate the Unites States’ commitment to the health of women and children around the world,” said Maloney. 

Two million women worldwide suffer from obstetric fistula.  It is a condition typically caused by several days of obstructed labor without timely medical intervention.  The consequences of fistula are life shattering: the baby usually dies, and the woman is left with chronic incontinence.  Unable to stay dry, she is often abandoned by her husband and family and ostracized by her community.  Without treatment, her prospects for work and family life are greatly diminished.  Many victims are forced to beg or turn to prostitution to survive. 

Fistula is easily prevented with proper obstetric care during pregnancy.  The condition all but disappeared in the U.S. long ago, yet it still afflicts women - particularly young women between the ages of 15 and 19 - in the poorest of nations.

The UNFPA-led Campaign to End Fistula is a global campaign to prevent and treat fistula, with the ultimate goal of making the condition as rare in Africa and Asia as it is in the developed world.  UNFPA currently works in dozens more countries more than the U.S. does.  Many of the nations where there is no USAID presence suffer under political turmoil and poor living conditions and serve as breeding grounds for terrorists.

The following Representatives are co-sponsoring Maloney’s bill: Tom Allen (D-ME), Russ Carnahan (D-MO), Mike Castle (R-DE), Joseph Crowley (D-NY), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Mike Honda (D-CA), Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL), Tom Lantos (D-CA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Mike McNulty (D-NY), Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Michael Michaud (D-ME), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Christopher Shays (R-CT), Diane Watson (D-CA), and Lynn Woolsey (D-CA).  

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