The Problem- Fistulas
· A fistula is a hole or passageway between an internal organ and the outside world (Fistula Foundation).
o Obstetric fistulas, which occur to the mother during childbirth.
o Traumatic Fistulas, which typically occur from violent acts, such as rape.
· “An obstetric fistula develops when blood supply to the tissues of the vagina and the bladder (and/or rectum) is cut off during prolonged obstructed labor. The tissues die and a hole forms” (Fistula Foundation).
o These fistulas cause women to have no restraint over their bladder and urine or feces will pass uncontrollably.
· Fistulas can occur in any women, but typically only occur in underdeveloped countries where there is lack of maternal care.
o Most common in Africa and parts of Asia.
· It is estimated that over 2 million women are currently living with fistulas (Fistula Foundation).
· Treatment is available, but most women don’t receive treatment and are instead cast off and shunned from society until they meet their death, through starvation or infection due to the fistula (97 Kristof and WuDunn).
Why this exists
1. Poverty
- In the article “The World’s Deadliest Disease is Poverty,” it is clearly evident that many healthcare issues could be prevented if it weren’t for poverty. (217 Kirk and Okazawana-Rey)
· Fistulas can be prevented and treated.
· Due to poverty there is not enough money for:
o Medical care- general medical care is scarce, so maternal care is even rarer to find in these places.
o Prevention-Obstetric fistulas could be prevented through cesarean sections
o Treatment- typically costs about $300 (96 Kristof and WuDunn).
2. Women’s Oppression
- Living in a patriarchal society, maternal care is not believed to be a pressing need.
- The ACJR believes “from the perspective of a Reproductive Justice framework, the key problem for women is lack of power, resources, and control” (245 Kirk and Okazawana-Rey).
· Educating women isn’t seen as important, so they are in school less, and have babies while they are still young, so their pelvises haven’t fully developed enough to be large enough for childbirth.
· Women experience marginalization. They are seen as inferior to men and aren’t worth providing treatment for, so most men simply divorce their wives when fistula occurs.
· Also, traumatic fistulas are occurring because of things like rape.
o For example, in the Congo, 90% of fistulas are believed to be caused by rape. Due to the fact that rape is used as a weapon of war in the Congo (Fistula Foundation).
Vision
· Availability of medical care.
· All women should have access to maternal care.
· Women would be seen as equals.
o As the Asian Communities for Reproductive Justice say, “We believe that by challenging patriarchal social relations… we will be able to build te collective social, economic, and political power of all women and girls to make choices that protect and contribute to our reproductive health and overall well being” (245 Kirk and Okazawana-Rey).
· Poverty would be eradicated.
· Wars and rebellions would be ended.
· More emphasis and availability of education for women.
How to change
· Women need to have more education.
o More education keeps them in school longer and means they don’t have babies as early
o More education means they are more qualified for higher paying jobs
· Training women in maternal care and how to give cesarean sections.
o This would help prevent fistulas directly, while also giving women more job opportunities, so it would affect poverty as well.
· The government needs to take a stand for women and against the “rebels,” who are killing men and raping women.
Works Cited
"Fast Facts and FAQs." The Fistula Foundation. N.p., 2010. Web. 3 Oct 2010. <http://www.fistulafoundation.org/aboutfistula/faqs.html>.
Kirk, Gwyn and Margo Okazawa-Rey. Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives 4th Ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010.
Kristof, Nicholas D., and Sheryl WuDunn. Half the Sky. 1st. New York: Vintage Books, 2010. Print.
Excellent!
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