As I wandered through my blog feeds this morning, looking for an inspiring health topic and considering seriously a discussion of foot injuries (thanks to Three Kid Circus, I, asshole and the lingonberry juice on my foot that I briefly thought was blood), I noticed Agatha talking about Obstetric Fistula.

Now that's a blog topic.


Agatha didn't share a clip from Love, Labor, Loss but I'm going to. For those who aren't sure what obstetric fistulas are or why we should care....

Lisa Russell, the creator of the documentary is blogging. Subscribe and leave a comment showing your support of her work.

Visit RH Reality Check for a series on obstetric fistula as well as a behind the scenes post about the documentary The story she tells might surprise you.

This story demonstrates that obstetric fistula is not just a woman's issue, nor is it just about the developing world. It is about the economic disparity between the haves and the have-nots. It is about our inability to prioritize people's lives and about legislation that restricts funding based on political battles. And it reflects a sense of complacency towards striving for social equality and progress. The gap between rich and poor countries and between rural and urban areas continues to create conditions that make women at risk for obstetric fistula - lack of education, lack of employment, scarcity of safe motherhood services and indeed, early marriage, which is often justified by the economic security it gives the family.

You might also be interested in A Walk to Beautiful, another documentary about Ethiopian women and obstetric fistula. (A Walk to Beauitful took top prize at the IDA)

From the Love, Labor, Loss website, there are three ways you can help:

* Raise awareness
* Raise funds
* Advocate for legislation

Stop what you're doing right now and blog about this. Share a clip of the video. Raise awareness. It takes very little time and your blogging can make a difference.

Consider a donation. $300 is all it takes to help change the life of one young woman (or girl). $300. How much did you spend on holiday gifts last week...?

Contact your representatives. Send them letters. Send them the Fistula Advocacy Video.

~Denise