Worldwide Fistula Fund and Terrewode Merge to Form Maternal Dignity Project

Worldwide Fistula Fund and Terrewode Women's Fund have merged, creating a new entity named Maternal Dignity Project. The combined organization is a nonprofit focused on supporting African-led partners who work to treat and prevent obstetric fistula, a severe childbirth injury.

Obstetric fistula affects an estimated 500,000 women globally. The condition arises when a woman in labor cannot access timely emergency Cesarean sections. Despite being preventable and treatable, many women live with the injury for years without knowing repair is possible.

The Maternal Dignity Project will provide support to partner organizations in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya, Niger, and Uganda. These include ARENA Medical Center in Burkina Faso, the Let's End Fistula Initiative in Kenya founded by survivor Sarah Omega, and TERREWODE in Uganda, known for its post-surgery support and dedicated fistula hospital.

"Every woman with fistula today is living with something we already know how to prevent and repair," stated Bonnie Ruder, executive director of Maternal Dignity Project. "Our partners have spent years proving what works, often with too little funding. Together we can put more behind them and help them end fistula for good."

The organization plans to expand its prevention efforts, addressing a shift in fistula causes linked to inadequate training for C-sections. Maternal Dignity Project aims to bolster existing expertise among clinicians and survivors to eradicate the condition.