A/RES/67/147
Supporting efforts to end obstetric fistula
Convention on the Rights of the Child, 10 and urging States that have not done so to
consider, as a matter of priority, signing, ratifying or acceding to those Conventions
and the Optional Protocols thereto, 11
Welcoming the report of the Secretary-General, 12 and the conclusions and
recommendations contained therein,
Stressing the interlinkages between poverty, malnutrition, lack of or
inadequate or inaccessible health-care services, early childbearing, child marriage,
violence against young women and girls and gender discrimination as root causes of
obstetric fistula, and that poverty remains the main social risk factor,
Recognizing that the difficult socioeconomic conditions that exist in many
developing countries, in particular the least developed countries, have resulted in
the acceleration of the feminization of poverty,
Recognizing also that early childbearing increases the risk of complications
during pregnancy and delivery and entails a much higher risk of maternal mortality
and morbidity, and deeply concerned that early childbearing and limited access to the
highest attainable standard of health, including sexual and reproductive health,
specifically timely access to high-quality emergency obstetric care, cause high levels
of obstetric fistula and other maternal morbidities, as well as maternal mortality,
Noting that a human rights-based approach to eliminating obstetric fistula is
underpinned by the principles of, inter alia, accountability, participation, transparency,
empowerment, sustainability, non-discrimination and international cooperation,
Deeply concerned about discrimination against women and girls and the
violation of their rights, which often result in less access for girls to education and
nutrition, their reduced physical and mental health and the enjoyment by girls of
fewer of the rights, opportunities and benefits of childhood and adolescence
compared with boys, and in their often being subjected to various forms of cultural,
social, sexual and economic exploitation and to violence and harmful practices,
Welcoming the contribution by Member States, the international community
and civil society to the global Campaign to End Fistula, bearing in mind that a
people-centred approach to social and economic development is fundamental for
protecting and empowering individuals and communities,
Deeply concerned that, as the Campaign to End Fistula approaches its tenth
anniversary, while some progress has been made, there remain significant
challenges that require the intensification of efforts at all levels to end
obstetric fistula,
Recognizing the Secretary-General’s Global Strategy for Women’s and
Children’s Health, undertaken by a broad coalition of partners, in support of
national plans and strategies aimed at significantly reducing the number of maternal,
newborn and under-five child deaths and disabilities as a matter of immediate
concern by scaling up a priority package of high-impact interventions and
integrating efforts in sectors such as health, education, gender equality, water and
sanitation, poverty eradication and nutrition,
Welcoming the various national, regional and international initiatives on all the
Millennium Development Goals, including those undertaken bilaterally and through
_______________
10
Ibid., vol. 1577, No. 27531.
Ibid., vol. 2131, No. 20378; ibid., vols. 2171 and 2173, No. 27531; and resolution 66/138, annex.
12
A/67/258.
11
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