Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary of Denmark

One of the highlights of the Women Deliver Conference in Washington D.C. in June 2010 was the meeting between Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, and two fistula survivors and advocates: Sarah Omega, from Kenya, and Ms. Awatif Altayib, from West Darfur State, Sudan. The Crown Princess, who is a patron of UNFPA, was deeply moved by their stories.

“It was an important opportunity for me to learn more about the maternal health challenges that persist in the developing world. Sarah and Awatif lent a face to all women who have suffered due to the lack of access to skilled attendants during pregnancy and childbirth. This is something industrialized nations take for granted but is still very much a luxury in many countries in the developing world,” said the Crown Princess of Denmark.

Natalie Imbruglia

As a Spokesperson for the UNFPA-led Campaign to End Fistula and an Ambassador for Virgin Unite, Natalie Imbruglia —singer/actress— is helping to raise awareness and funds for this little-known childbearing condition. Imbruglia first heard about fistula while speaking to Richard Branson, CEO of the Virgin Group. In January 2005, she visited fistula hospitals in Ethiopia and Nigeria with representatives from UNFPA and Virgin Unite, a charitable organization supporting the Campaign. Deeply moved, she felt compelled to act.

"For some people, fistula is a difficult issue to talk about. But that discomfort pales in comparison to what women living with fistula face every day," Imbruglia says. "I don't want to be part of the silence. I want to do everything I can to make a difference in these women's lives."

Watch her video message on International Women's Day 2011.

Catarina Furtado

Portuguese television celebrity and UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador, Ms. Catarina Furtado was deeply moved by the stories of fistula suduring her recent visit to a fistula ward in Mansoa, a major city in the Oio region, 55 km from the capital, Bissau. Ms. Furtado is committed to help reducing maternal mortality and morbidities like obstetric fistula, which in turn is bringing hope and dignity back to many women in Africa.

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Yuko Arimori

Olympic marathon medalist from Japan Yuko Arimori toured an obstetric fistula ward and commended the work on fistula in Tanzania. Ms. Arimori, who came to the country to participate in the Ekiden Run for Peace, was impressed by the quality of services provided by Comprehensive Community-Based Rehabilitation in Tanzania (CCBRT) with UNFPA support.

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