A few years ago Natalie Imbruglia, above, had never heard of obstetric fistula. Now the singer-songwriter is on a mission to help prevent a crippling childbirth injury that affects two million women. 

During two trips to Africa, the Australian-born entertainer and actress saw how devastating one of the world’s worst pregnancy disabilities can be. 

After agonising days in labour without medical assistance, women in poor countries suffer tissue damage, lose their babies and are left with chronic incontinence. Often they are ostracised by their family. 

“It just should not be happening, that women cannot safely have a child in this day and age,” Imbruglia said. “If you could help just one of these women, to me, it is literally giving that woman her life back.