International Day to End Obstetric Fistula2026 · Date · History · Messages · Quotes
A/RES/67/147
About International Day to End Obstetric Fistula
International Day to End Obstetric Fistula is observed on 23 May. The United Nations uses the day to raise awareness of obstetric fistula, strengthen prevention and treatment, and support the dignity, health and reintegration of women and girls affected by this childbirth injury.
The observance sits within a broader effort led by UNFPA and partners to eliminate obstetric fistula through prevention, access to quality maternal health care, treatment and social support.
Why International Day to End Obstetric Fistula matters
Obstetric fistula is largely preventable and treatable, but it is closely associated with unequal access to timely, high-quality maternal health services and with wider social and economic inequalities.
Useful observance content should therefore avoid reducing the issue to surgery alone. Prevention, skilled care, survivor-centred treatment, rehabilitation, social reintegration and reproductive rights all matter.
History of International Day to End Obstetric Fistula
UNFPA and partners launched the Campaign to End Fistula in 2003, creating a sustained international framework for prevention, treatment and survivor support.
On 20 December 2012, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/67/147 and called for 23 May to be designated as the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, to be observed annually beginning in 2013.
The first International Day to End Obstetric Fistula was marked globally on 23 May 2013. UNFPA continues to lead and coordinate the Campaign to End Fistula.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Campaign to End Fistula
UNFPA and partners launched the Campaign to End Fistula in 2003; the 2013 first International Day was introduced within that already-established global action framework.
United Nations General Assembly
UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/67/147
First documented observance
UNFPA explicitly identifies 23 May 2013 as the first International Day to End Obstetric Fistula.
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), through the Campaign to End Fistula
UNFPA states that it leads and coordinates the Campaign to End Fistula and continues to organize global action around the annual International Day.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
4 fields not established in reviewed sources
Predecessor and precursor observances
Earlier or merged observances are kept separate from former names and later institutional actions.
How to Observe International Day to End Obstetric Fistula
Use UNFPA or national health-system resources to learn how obstetric fistula can be prevented through timely, quality maternal health care.
Support survivor-centred programmes that combine treatment with rehabilitation, counselling and social reintegration.
Avoid stigmatizing language and do not describe survivors only through injury or disability.
When discussing prevalence or treatment gaps, use current health-agency data rather than repeating old global estimates as if they were timeless.
International Day to End Obstetric Fistula Facts
The International Day is observed on 23 May.
A/RES/67/147 was adopted on 20 December 2012.
The resolution called for annual observance beginning in 2013.
The first International Day was marked on 23 May 2013.
The UNFPA Campaign to End Fistula predates the Day and was launched in 2003.
International Day to End Obstetric Fistula Messages
Today, may International Day to End Obstetric Fistula turn attention into informed action, empathy and support that lasts beyond a single day.
On International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, may awareness be matched by compassion, reliable information and practical support for people directly affected.
International Day to End Obstetric Fistula is a reminder to listen without stigma, share trustworthy information and treat every person with dignity.
On International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, support dignified maternal care, prevention and access to effective treatment.
Marking International Day to End Obstetric Fistula with care means learning from credible sources and making space for the voices and experiences of people most affected.
International Day to End Obstetric Fistula Quotes
“Every woman has the right not only to survive childbirth, but to thrive.”
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
- Health Information Not Medical Advice.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
United Nations Digital Library — A/RES/67/147 (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — International Day to End Obstetric Fistula (opens in a new tab)
UNFPA — Campaign to End Fistula 10th anniversary report (opens in a new tab)
UNFPA — Obstetric fistula / first International Day (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — List of International Days and Weeks (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — Observances: who chooses them and how (opens in a new tab)
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is International Day to End Obstetric Fistula?
23 May The documented recurrence rule is: 23 May.
Does International Day to End Obstetric Fistula fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is International Day to End Obstetric Fistula an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: United Nations / international observance. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes International Day to End Obstetric Fistula?
The reviewed sources identify United Nations General Assembly as the proclaiming or establishing body. Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), through the Campaign to End Fistula.
Is International Day to End Obstetric Fistula international or country-specific?
The documented scope is international or global: United Nations / international observance. That does not mean every country treats the date as a public holiday or observes it in the same way.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-05.
When was the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula established?
The UN General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/67/147 on 20 December 2012, calling for 23 May to be observed annually beginning in 2013.
When was the first International Day?
The first International Day to End Obstetric Fistula was marked on 23 May 2013.
Who leads the wider global campaign?
UNFPA leads and coordinates the Campaign to End Fistula with partners.
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