Gender Development Centre and Obstetric Fistula Surgeons Society to Collaborate on 2026 World Congress in Dakar

Dakar: The ECOWAS Gender Development Centre (CCDG) recently hosted Professor Serig-ne Magueye GUEYE, President of the International Society of Obstetric Fistula Surgeons (ISOFS), as they prepare for the 10th World Congress on Obstetric Fistula, scheduled for December 14-19, 2026, in Dakar, Senegal. The meeting aimed to forge a strategic partnership between CCDG and ISOFS to enhance regional efforts to eliminate obstetric fistula by 2030.According to African Press Organization, since 2010, ECOWAS through CCDG has been implementing a regional program that provides medical, social, and economic support to women and girls affected by obstetric fistula. This approach includes prevention, surgical care, socio-economic reintegration, and community advocacy. Strengthening partnerships is seen as crucial to speeding up progress and pooling regional and international expertise.The upcoming 10th World Congress presents an opportunity to gather policymakers, partners, researchers, community organizations, and health professionals to work towards the elimination of obstetric fistula. The Congress aims to act as a platform for advocacy, resource mobilization, and sharing best practices to strengthen public policies and regional coordination mechanisms.Ms. Salimata THIAM, CCDG Gender Program Officer, underscored the success of the regional program and the new opportunities supported by Spanish Cooperation in countries like Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, and Senegal. She emphasized the necessity of a holistic approach integrating medical, psychosocial, economic, and community dimensions.CCDG Director Ms. Sandra OULATÉ FATTOH reiterated ECOWAS's longstanding commitment to combating obstetric fistula and noted the progress since the center's creation in 2003. She highlighted the new institutional dynamics within ECOWAS as an opportunity to enhance visibility and impact and expressed the center's readiness to support initiatives linked to the Dakar Congress.Professor GUEYE acknowledged ECOWAS's pioneering role and presented the strategic orientations of the Congress, which are based on the SPECTRE strategy-prevention, education, community engagement, treatment, reintegration, and elimination. He invited ECOWAS to play a significant role in the event's scientific and institutional organization to ensure the visibility of regional achievements.The discussions underscored a strong convergence between CCDG and ISOFS on the need for a multisectoral response. Both parties agreed to formalize an institutional partnership, involve CCDG in Congress structures, co-develop the scientific program, and highlight ECOWAS-supported experiences. They also emphasized capacity building, operational research, evidence generation, and high-level political mobilization.At the meeting's conclusion, CCDG and ISOFS committed to drafting a joint action plan involving CCDG's participation in the organizing committee, strategic panels, an ECOWAS exhibition space, and communication and advocacy activities to engage member states and internatio nal partners.This collaboration represents a significant step in strengthening cooperation between ECOWAS and ISOFS to expedite the elimination of obstetric fistula in West Africa. It reflects a shared resolve to make the 10th World Congress in Dakar a catalyst for regional and international action supporting women's health and dignity, contributing to the global goal of eliminating obstetric fistula by 2030.