Meenara's inspiring story sheds light on the urgent need to address fistula as a public health and human rights issue.
Meenara, a 52-year-old woman who suffered from constant urination leakage for 20 years, reflects on the emotional toll of living with fistula - a debilitating and stigmatizing ailment that affects millions of women worldwide, especially those living in developing countries.
Meenara developed this condition during prolonged and obstructed childbirth. Since then she was ashamed to go out and meet people or attend social gatherings due to constant urination leakage.
She says - “My embarrassment and discomfort led me to stay away from people and sleep alone. Sometimes my husband accepted my condition, and sometimes he did not.”
Despite the physical, emotional, and social challenges, Meenara did not lose hope or her will to live a meaningful life. Instead, she sought medical help and underwent a successful surgery, which freed her from the fistula and allowed her to recover her sense of dignity, confidence, and happiness.
Fistula is a devastating condition that can have life-altering effects on a woman's physical and emotional well-being. However, Fistula is not only preventable but also curable. By educating the causes, consequences, and treatments of fistula, more women can seek medical help and reduce the
stigma and discrimination.