Women And Development Against Distress In Africa(WADADIA)

26/05/2026

FIELD CHRONICLES | BARINGO COUNTY 🇰🇪

Even after the world marked International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, the work continues.

Because for thousands of women in remote communities, awareness cannot end with a hashtag or a single commemoration day.

Last week, we made a stop in Kabarnet, Baringo County, one of the regions where reaching women battling obstetric fistula means navigating distance, silence, stigma, cultural barriers, poor road networks, and communities that are often left behind by mainstream health systems.

At the center of this work are Community Resource Persons (CORPs), our trusted local voices who walk long distances, hold difficult conversations, identify women silently suffering, and help connect them to treatment and care.

Led by Program Manager Omar Mandela, the review meeting created space for honest reflection on what is working, challenges faced in the field, and strategies to reach even the most marginalized women across hard-to-reach communities.

The room was filled with shared experiences, encouragement, teamwork, and one common goal:
ensuring no woman suffers in silence simply because of trying to bring life into this life or where she lives.

The meeting concluded with the distribution of work identification cards and branded reflectors to strengthen visibility, trust, and safer community engagement.

This team is core to the movement.

Because ending fistula goes beyond hospitals and boardrooms.
It is happening in villages.
In community dialogues.
In referrals made quietly.
In trust built over time.
And in the courage of local champions choosing to stand with vulnerable women every single day.

We remain committed to reaching the last mile with dignity, compassion, partnership, and community-led solutions.

25/05/2026

In commemoration of the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula 2026, Women And Development Against Distress In Africa(WADADIA) Founder and Lead Director Habiba C N Mohamed joined Sifa FM’s Linah Mwamachi for an in-depth discussion on obstetric fistula and childbirth injuries.

Drawing from her experience as a counselling psychologist, program specialist and health systems strengthening professional, she explored the causes, symptoms, prevention, treatment, and long-term impact of fistula on women and girls, while emphasizing the importance of holistic and community-centered programming.

The conversation also unpacked the differences between VVF and RVF, highlighted Kenya’s progress in fistula programming, and reinforced the need for stronger awareness, referrals, psychosocial support, and reintegration services.

Importantly, the interview amplified survivor voices and the role partnerships continue to play in restoring dignity and expanding access to treatment.

The radio segment also featured a fistula survivor who courageously shared her journey to treatment and healing, alongside insights from a medical doctor working directly in fistula care.

One message remained central:
Obstetric fistula is preventable and treatable, and no woman should suffer in silence.

🎧 Habiba’s interview runs from Minute 30–47.
Listen in:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRt-WqOLMAE

📣 If you or someone you know is leaking urine or stool after childbirth, reach out to WADADIA today: 0703785688 or 0768346045. Help is available. Treatment is free. No woman should suffer in silence.

25/05/2026

Investment in the next generation.

As conversations around the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula 2026 continue globally under the theme “Her Health Is a Right,” WADADIA’s Coastal team on Saturday engaged students at Greenland School in Malindi in a powerful youth-centered session focused on reproductive health, mental health, mentorship, and behavior change.

The engagement with girls and young women aged 17–25 years created a safe and honest space to discuss the realities affecting many youths today from peer pressure, risky relationships, and reproductive health misinformation to emotional wellbeing, self-worth, and the importance of staying in school and making informed life decisions.

The session also highlighted a critical but often overlooked part of fistula prevention: nurturing and mentoring young girls early enough before vulnerability turns into crisis.

At Women And Development Against Distress In Africa(WADADIA) , prevention is part of dignity. Through education, mentorship, and community engagement, we are helping shape a generation that is informed, empowered, and better equipped to protect their health, future, and opportunities.

Because ending fistula also means investing in girls before they become statistics.

23/05/2026

Today in Kakamega, we joined communities across the world in marking the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula 2026 under the theme: “Her Health Is a Right: Unite to End Obstetric Fistula and Childbirth Injuries.”

As a grassroots organization deeply rooted in communities, we brought together fistula survivors, men, community champions, and Community Owned Resource Persons (CORPs) for a meaningful moment of reflection, learning, and renewed commitment toward ending fistula and restoring women’s dignity.

The gathering celebrated progress made so far, recognized the courage of survivors, amplified the importance of male involvement, and strengthened community ownership in the fight against preventable childbirth injuries.

CORPs also met with Program Manager Omar Mandela for a detailed review session focused on field progress, challenges, and strengthening referral pathways within communities.

To support their continued outreach work, the team issued new identification badges and branded reflectors to improve visibility and strengthen implementation at the grassroots level.

At Women And Development Against Distress In Africa(WADADIA) , we believe lasting change happens when communities themselves lead the movement for dignity, awareness, and healing.

23/05/2026