Each year on May 23, the global community commemorates the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula (IDEOF).

• The day, set by the United Nations, aims to recognize the struggles of women living with fistula, a devastating health condition caused primarily by prolonged/obstructed labor and, increasingly, by unsafe obstetric or gynecological surgery.
• IDEOF also recognizes the efforts of governments, maternal health stakeholders, and health care workers to prevent and treat fistula, making progress towards a global goal of ending fistula by 2030.
• The theme for this year’s IDEOF commemorations was chosen by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and announced by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem to be, “End gender inequality! End health inequities! End fistula now!”