FGS in focus: Celebrating the changemakers this International Women’s Day

This International Women’s Day, we honour the women and girls affected by female genital schistosomiasis (FGS), as well as the health workers, advocates, and national teams who are driving change.  

Their commitment—learning new skills, reshaping services, and turning evidence into action—is paving the way for a future where no woman or girl is left untreated or unheard. 

FGS affects millions yet remains one of the most overlooked women’s health issues. Its symptoms often resemble those of sexually transmitted infections or cervical cancer, leading to frequent misdiagnosis and stigma.  

Without greater awareness and improved training within health systems, women and girls will continue to slip through the cracks. 

Advancing women’s health in Côte d’Ivoire

Across Côte d’Ivoire, millions of women and girls remain at risk of FGS. However, momentum is building in the country to tackle this issue. Communities, health workers, and national leaders are taking tangible steps to ensure that every woman and girl can finally access the care they deserve. 

Understanding the challenge

FGS is caused by Schistosoma haematobium, a parasite still present in several areas of Côte d’Ivoire. Women and girls are exposed when they come into contact with infected water during daily activities such as washing, farming, or social gatherings. The consequences can be severe: chronic pain, infertility, and increased vulnerability to HIV, HPV, and cervical cancer. 

Yet knowledge of FGS has historically been extremely low among both the community and health workers. 

To better understand the challenges, Unlimit Health supported the Ministry of Health (MoH) to conduct a pilot study across seven health centres in Soubré district. The findings revealed significant gaps: 

• No routine FGS prevention or care services were available. 

• Praziquantel (the recommended treatment) was not routinely provided in health centres. 

• Knowledge among health workers was low: only 38% had heard of FGS before the study. 

• Knowledge among women aged 15–29 was negligible, despite this group being at high risk. 

• Over half (53%) of women could not access treatment on the same day if they needed it. 

• Environmental exposure remained high, with many women using unsafe water sources for daily activities. 

Scaling up services for lasting impact

Building on the pilot study’s findings, we are now working with national partners to scale up FGS prevention services across two districts. With support from an expert working group, the results from these districts will help shape the development of evidence-based national guidelines for FGS prevention and care. 

National attention on FGS integration

In February 2026, progress continued as Unlimit Health joined partners at a workshop aimed at raising awareness of FGS among other health programmes in Côte d’Ivoire and identifying partners for integrating FGS prevention services into existing platforms.  

Representatives from major MoH programmes, including the National Cancer Control Programme (PLNCa) and the National Maternal and Newborn Health Programme, plus SOGOCI (the national body of gynaecologists and obstetricians), came together to explore how FGS can be incorporated into their existing work. 

Mme Méité, a midwife and public health specialist from the National Cancer Control Programme, emphasised that many oncology teams (those diagnosing and treating cervical cancer) are unaware of FGS, even though it is a co-factor for HPV and a risk factor for cervical cancer. 

As a result, PLNCa expressed a strong interest in integrating FGS into their training curriculum—an important step that could significantly strengthen cervical cancer prevention across the country. 

Why this work matters

“For a holistic, sustainable and robust reproductive health system in Côte d’Ivoire, in addition to existing healthcare services, the integration of treatment for FGS is an invaluable and innovative asset. Let us all work together to provide women with comprehensive healthcare.”

Dr Dje
Ministry of Health, Côte d’Ivoire

FGS isn’t just a neglected tropical disease—it is a women’s health and rights issue. It affects fertility, maternal health, susceptibility to infections, and long-term wellbeing.  

Integrating FGS into routine health systems ensures women and girls receive: 

• Early diagnosis and treatment 

• Accurate health information 

• Protection from long-term complications 

• Respectful, stigma-free care 

A vision for the future 

Thanks to the MoH’s leadership and the support of partners, communities, and dedicated health workers, Côte d’Ivoire is building a future where FGS is recognised, prevented, and treated as part of routine women’s healthcare.