New Regional Initiative Launched to Address the Neglect of Female Genital Schistosomiasis in Africa

The Expanded Special Project for Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (ESPEN), in partnership with the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) , has launched a landmark regional project aimed at strengthening the response to urogenital schistosomiasis and Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) in sub-Saharan Africa.

Breaking the Silence on a Neglected Women’s Health Crisis

Running from July 2025 to August 2026, the project seeks to close persistent gaps in data, diagnosis, and regional strategy for FGS—a debilitating and underdiagnosed condition affecting up to 56 million women and girls in the region. Despite its links to serious sexual and reproductive health complications, HIV, and cervical cancer, FGS remains largely overlooked in health systems and public health strategies.

“FGS is a silent crisis,” said Dr. Pauline Mwinzi, ESPEN’s Regional Technical Officer for Schistosomiasis. “This collaboration with GIZ will catalyze regional action to improve detection, diagnosis, and care, while finally putting FGS on a map as a public health priority.”

The initiative will deliver two key outcomes:

• Development of regional risk maps for FGS using existing parasitology data to identify high-risk areas and guide targeted resource allocation.
• Establishment of a regional expert group to harmonize protocols for FGS screening, diagnosis, and reporting, and to advocate for its inclusion in global burden estimates and national health information systems.
   

Centering women’s leadership and voices

The project will also promote gender-intentional approaches through collaboration with female-led initiatives, such as the Mwele Malecela Mentorship Programme for Women in NTDs, National gynecological societies among others. Elevating women’s leadership and perspectives in policy and programs will strengthen care delivery and begin to reverse the long-standing neglect of women’s health in global health systems.