Sixty-third session
Item 59 of the provisional agenda*
Advancement of women
Summary
The present report was prepared in response to General Assembly resolution 62/138. Obstetric fistula is a devastating childbirth injury that leaves women incontinent and often isolated from their communities. It is a stark example of continued poor maternal and reproductive health services and an indication of high levels of maternal death and disability. The report outlines efforts to end obstetric fistula at international, regional and national levels, including by the United Nations system. It concludes with recommendations to intensify efforts to end obstetric fistula as part of support to the achievement of Millennium Development Goal 5, including strengthening health systems and increasing levels and predictability of funding.
I. Introduction
1. The present report is submitted in accordance with General Assembly resolution 62/138 in which the Assembly requested the Secretary-General to submit a report at its sixty-third session on the implementation of the resolution. This report outlines the main causes of obstetric fistula and efforts by the international community and the United Nations system to address it, as well as recommendations for consideration by the General Assembly. As requested in the resolution, the report is presented under the agenda item entitled "Advancement of women".
* A/63/150.