Child Marriage leads to Obstetric Fistula
23rd May is International Day to End Obstetric Fistula. If we want to put an end to obstetric fistula, we must put an end to child marriage.
Obstetric fistula is a cavity that forms between a woman’s vagina and bladder or rectum. This cavity disables a woman from having control over her bowels, due to which she passes stool and urine continuously, causing her shame and embarrassment. Sufferers of this condition are ‘abandoned by their husbands, forced out of their homes, ostracized by family and friends and even disdained by health workers, who consider them ‘unclean’ (UNFPA). See more here: https://www.share-netbangladesh.org/19755-women-live-with-obstetric-fistula-in-bangladesh/
One of the main reasons behind obstetric fistula is child marriage. Bangladesh has the highest percentage of child marriage in South Asia. Following traditional culture, many girls are married off as soon as they have their first periods, and expected to carry a child as soon as they are married. A lot of people in Bangladesh believe that menstruation is the indicator of the fact that a girl is ready for motherhood. This is a misconception. Before the age of 21 a girl’s womb and pelvis is too small. Therefore during delivery she faces difficulty in passing the baby’s head, resulting in prolonged or obstructed labour, further resulting in obstetric fistula.
Poverty has a direct or indirect effect on child marriage and obstetric fistula. Many parents marry off their young girls because of poverty. When an adolescent girl gets married, she does not have the power to make decisions about her own body, on whether she wants to get married, consummate the marriage, use contraceptives or have children. Thus, she bears a child during her adolescence, and puts her health at risk. When a girl in a poverty stricken area suffer from obstetric fistula, she does not know whether it is preventable, or when and how to get treatment.
A study by USAID estimates that there are currently 19,755 women living with obstetric fistula in Bangladesh. The reduction in child marriage can play a huge role in preventing obstetric fistula in young girls. Moreover, families should be made aware of the harmful health consequences of child marriage. When girls are young, they should be taught how to be independent and how to make their own choices so that they can have a healthy and bright future.
Source:
- https://www.reuters.com/article/us-childmarriage-fistula/teenage-brides-suffer-pain-and-shame-of-fistula-idUSTRE7731E520110804
- https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-pregnancy
