Luanda will host a solidarity run and walk next Saturday, June 20, aimed at raising awareness about obstetric fistula and generating funds to support women affected by the condition. The event will take place along Luanda’s Island and Waterfront (Marginal), starting at 6:00 a.m.
Organized by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Vangulula Foundation, in partnership with the KUENA Platform, the initiative seeks to combine sports, citizenship, and solidarity to draw attention to one of the most serious complications associated with maternal health.
Part of the proceeds from registration fees will be allocated to Vangulula House, a unit of the Vangulula Foundation located at the Azancot de Menezes Maternal and Child Hospital. The facility is recognized as a national reference center for the treatment and rehabilitation of women affected by obstetric fistula. According to the organizers, 47% of each registration fee will be directed toward supporting the institution.
The funds raised will be used to purchase materials for the beneficiaries’ socio-economic reintegration activities, including expanding sewing facilities, acquiring equipment for the clinic, providing personal hygiene products, and beginning the outfitting of the operating theater. The goal is to strengthen the treatment, care, and recovery services offered to women assisted by the center.
The organizers have assured that the use of the funds will be subject to transparency and accountability mechanisms. The Vangulula Foundation plans to publicly disclose information on the resources raised, as well as the equipment and materials acquired through the campaign.
UNFPA Representative in Angola, Rinko Kinoshita, emphasized that promoting quality maternal healthcare is essential to preventing serious complications. “The promotion of quality maternal healthcare is fundamental to preventing severe complications, including obstetric fistula. This run is part of building a collective effort for women’s health,” she said.
Meanwhile, KUENA Platform Managing Director Sabrina Silva highlighted the importance of public participation in the cause. “This run is an invitation for everyone to take part in a cause that deserves greater visibility and mobilization. Every registration represents a concrete contribution toward improving the lives of women facing enormous physical, social, and emotional challenges,” she said.
Obstetric fistula is a serious injury generally associated with prolonged labor without adequate medical assistance. The condition creates an abnormal opening between the birth canal and the bladder or rectum, causing persistent health problems and often leading to social isolation, stigma, and significant impacts on the mental and emotional well-being of affected women.
18/06/2026
