​TORONTO—Last week, I was excited to attend the 2018 Women’s Forum for the Economy and Society. The two day event took place in Toronto at the Fairmont Royal York hotel. The forum is an annual conference, held in different cities around the world, which aims to highlight women’s voices and opinions on key economic, social, and political issues. This year’s theme was Bridging the gap: A call to the G7 for inclusive progress.

VANCOUVER—I was recently invited to the University of British Columbia (UBC) to give a keynote address about obstetric fistula, as part of the Africa Awareness Initiative Conference Week 2018. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to Kwezi, Towela and the entire AAI team for their heart-warming welcome and a fantastic two days at the conference!

Today officially makes two years since I launched my book, YESHIALEM LEARNS ABOUT FISTULA.  ​For the first time, see photos from the launch in London that happened on November 17th 2015. #2YearsOfYeshialem

Last week I was at the Medsin Barts and London School of Medicine Global Surgery Short Course to present on obstetric fistula and explain what medical students can do to raise awareness and take action against fistula. It was great to share the panel with Dr. Andy Leather (Lancet Commission on Global Surgery) and Dr. Ed Fitzgerald (LifeBox). Thank you Medsin Barts for your warm welcome! Special thanks to Sarah and the team for organizing this superb short course and to Seth from Operation Fistula for recommending me. 

I am very delighted to say that our Fistula and Empowerment Program (FEP) pilot project that ran from April 10th to June 14th was very successful!