By Sr. Maria Goretti Kabakaali – National Coordinator, (CRSHCIU)
As it does every three years, the Hilton Foundation convened more than 130 Catholic sisters from 23 countries across Africa and other key delegates in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from 10–12 June 2026.
The gathering aimed to strengthen communities and foster collective impact under the theme, “Journeying Together in Solidarity and Hope: Strengthening Communities and Cultivating Shared Impact for the Common Good.” Together, the participants shared experiences and explored collaborative solutions to some of society’s most pressing challenges.
Among the key issues highlighted was the silent suffering of women living with birth injuries, a challenge that continues to affect thousands across Africa despite advances in maternal healthcare.
Representing Uganda at the convening, the Catholic Religious Sisters Health Care Initiative Uganda (CRSHCIU) presented its ongoing efforts to identify, treat, and rehabilitate women affected by childbirth-related injuries such as obstetric fistula, severe perineal tears, and pelvic organ prolapse.
“Every mother deserves to live with dignity and hope,” “For many women, childbirth brings joy. But for others, complications leave them physically injured, socially isolated, and emotionally broken. Our mission is to walk with these women and help them rebuild their lives.” said a participant at the convening.
The Initiative, supported through partnerships with hospitals, health workers, religious congregations, and community structures, has become a vital source of support for vulnerable women who often suffer in silence due to stigma and lack of access to treatment.
Health experts note that obstetric fistula remains one of the most devastating childbirth injuries. The condition, often caused by prolonged obstructed labor, results in continuous leakage of urine or stool and can leave women facing rejection by spouses, exclusion from community life, and severe psychological distress.
However, doctors and other health care workers emphasize that these injuries are preventable and treatable medical conditions, not curses or punishments as some cultural misconceptions suggest.
The Catholic Religious Sisters Health Care Initiative Uganda has responded to this issue by organizing medical outreach camps, community screening exercises, treatment referrals, counselling services, and rehabilitation programs that enable affected women to access care and reintegrate into society.
Beyond treatment, the Initiative focuses on restoring women’s confidence and economic independence. Through community awareness campaigns and empowerment programs, survivors are encouraged to rebuild their livelihoods and reclaim their place within their families and communities.
Participants at the Tanzania convening praised the growing role of Catholic sisters in addressing healthcare gaps among vulnerable populations. They noted that their work extends beyond providing medical services to offering compassionate accompaniment that addresses the social and emotional consequences of illness and exclusion.
The convening also reinforced the importance of partnerships in achieving sustainable impact. Faith-based organizations, governments, healthcare institutions, and development agencies were encouraged to strengthen collaboration to improve maternal health services and expand access to life-changing treatment for women living with birth injuries.
The Catholic Religious Sisters Health Care Initiative Uganda attributed the gathering for serving as both a platform for sharing achievements and a call to action.
Established in 2023, the Catholic Religious Sisters Health Care Initiative Uganda through Hilton funding has resolved thousands of maternal health across Uganda. The initiative calls upon partners, well-wishers, and communities to support its mission of restoring dignity and hope to women affected by birth injuries and other maternal health complications.
