PRESS RELEASE

(9 May 2008)

(Issued on behalf of the Freedom From Fistula Foundation)
 

STAGECOACH FOUNDER LAUNCHES NEW CHARITY
TO HELP WOMEN IN AFRICA

Ann Gloag, co-founder of Stagecoach and former Businesswoman of the Year, has today (Friday) launched a new charity to help women in Africa.

 

The Freedom From Fistula Foundation has been set up to help women in Africa receive healthcare during pregnancy and childbirth, as well as providing free surgeries to women who are injured during labour due to lack of medical care.

 

More than 100 women joined Ann Gloag at her home, Kinfauns Castle, for the official launch of the Foundation, including Lorraine Kelly and Taggart star Blythe Duff.

 

An estimated two million women in Africa are suffering from obstetric fistula caused by obstructed childbirth and, in addition to providing free surgeries, the Foundation will fund the training of local birth attendants in an effort to prevent the fistulas happening in the first place.

 

Speaking at the launch of the Foundation, Ann Gloag said: “I first came across women suffering from fistulas through my work with Mercy Ships and I couldn’t believe that in this day and age, there are women in the world suffering horrendous injuries because they have no access to medical care during childbirth.

 

“These women are mothers, daughters, aunts – they are just like us – yet they are condemned to a life of shame and isolation because they become incontinent due to their fistulas and are outcast by their families and communities.  What woman in this country can imagine giving birth to a stillborn baby and being left incontinent as a result?  It is unthinkable to us, yet millions of women are suffering silently and they have no-one speaking up for them.  I am appealing to the women in Britain to become their voice.

 

“Our Foundation is not only aimed at providing the surgeries to repair the women already suffering, it is also aimed at preventing the problem getting worse –through training and education. Prevention is the long-term solution to eradicating obstetric fistulas and we will be working hard towards this goal. ....next