The Woman Tour

This initiative centred around a film titled "LOVE, LABOR, LOSS: A Documentary Film on Obstetric Fistula". Directed by international health specialist Lisa Russell and co-produced with communications specialist Carrie Svingen, this 15-minute advocacy film profiles women in Niger, West Africa living with obstetric fistula - a relatively unknown but prevalent childbearing injury that organisers claim has physically and socially debilitated over 2 million women in the developing world. In short, by following the particular stories of women who live at the Niamey National Hospital with the hope of having their fistulas repaired, the film offers both an intimate picture of these women's "personal tragedy" as well as "a larger portrait of the challenges to eradicate fistula in Niger".

The tour was an effort to bring the film - and the experiences of the women that it profiles - to North American audiences who might otherwise be unaware of the seriousness of this maternal health issue. As Lisa Russell describes the tour's strategy: "We believe that the mediums of music and film illuminate that goal and can also help soften the barriers that make discussing something like fistula and women's reproductive health so difficult."

In addition to the film itself, music was a key strategy for engaging and entertaining those present - to the end of stimulating interest in and action about an issue that might otherwise seem "far away". Specifically, Zap Mama is a Grammy-nominated artist whose music has been defined as "soul music for the Diaspora". Marie Daulne was born in the Congo but left at the age of 3 when war and strife uprooted her family. Now living in Europe, Marie has become a strong advocate for women in Africa and pays homage to her African roots via her "vocal phenomenon"; music is a tool for sharing her philosophy about global citizenship and the strength and empowerment of women.

The tour also drew on information exchange - through panel discussions and factual printed materials about fistula - to educate. Partnership with local agencies was a tool for facilitating the series of events, which was launched in Seattle, Washington on September 15 2005 with a breakfast event hosted by the local agency PATH. This particular event featured a panel discussion including the artists, David Loud of Representative Jim McDermott, and global women's health experts. The tour then continued on with screenings at select colleges, such as UCLA, Claremont College, Boston University, Dominican University of California, George Washington University, and others. The Tour wrapped up in New York on October 5.

In addition to these in-person events, the initiative has drawn on information and communication technologies (ICTs) to stimulate awareness and action. A blog is being used as a medium for documenting the tour's course. In addition, an interactive website offered information about fistula and provided journal entries from musicians, filmmakers, and public health specialists. A "take action" section of the website provided ideas for influencing U.S. legislation that would help fund fistula programmes: "Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, along with 12 co-sponsors, reintroduced her bill 'Repairing Women's Lives Around the World Act' to steer $34 million to fund fistula treatment and prevention programs. Write your representatives and encourage them to support Maloney's Bill." Along these lines, organisers have pledged to invite foundation and corporate philanthropy representatives to special events to advocate for increased funding of fistula and global women's health programmes.

Women, Maternal Health, Overseas Development Assistance.

Named by the United Nations in 2005 as one of the "Ten Stories the World Should Hear More About", obstetric fistula is both preventable and curable. However, organisers stress, lack of awareness and funding is keeping women from getting the help they need.

Zap Mama's latest album, "Ancestry in Progress" (Luaka Bop/V2 Records), features U.S. artists Erykah Badu, Common, and Talib Kweli, among others. Click here for more on Zap Mama.