International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

The lack of security in Somalia is preventing many women receiving the healthcare they need during labour.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) increased their presence in the country during 2011, but explained that foreign aid workers and medical staff cannot stay on the ground for too long and the charity relies on flash visits to train Somalis.

Somalia has some of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world and the trials faced by many women are immense.

One woman came to the MSF site in Galcayo after being abducted by five men for three days, during which time she was repeatedly raped.

MSF explained she was too late to receive precautionary prophylaxis for HIV, but her pregnancy could still be prevented and her sexually transmitted infections treated.

Doctors would also address her fistula.

The charity stated that rape and obstructed labour mean fistula are common in Somalia and leave women incontinent and in great pain.

Posted by Martine Ward