You are 11 years old. Obstetric fistula is the name for this appalling condition. It occurs when girls whose bodies are too immature to give birth become pregnant, and are then denied access to Caesarian sections. Usually, these girls are married off as young as 10 years old, since traditionally a woman is not supposed to have her first menstrual period in her father's house. Sexual relations begin prematurely, and the girl is pregnant soon after she begins to menstruate.
Some women are unlucky enough to have both.
Obstetric fistula affects two million women and occurs up to 100,000 times a year, mainly in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Nigeria and Sudan, where girls are married off young before they are physically ready to procreate. She is a nun with the Medical Missionaries of Mary and has spent the past 42 years in Nigeria repairing the torn bodies of thousands of these young girls. Originally from Donegal, Dr Ward was in London last week with the International Federation of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists to discuss obstetric fistula with the United Nations Population Fund. She says her job is as much about psychology as surgery. Reversing incontinence requires skilful use of the knife, and each damaged girl requires four delicate operations.