Andrew Hamilton

Scottish business tycoon Ann Gloag yesterday launched a charity aimed at helping women in Africa through pregnancy and childbirth.

More than 100 women joined Ms Gloag at her Perthshire home, Kinfauns Castle, for the launch of the Freedom From Fistula Foundation.

The foundation was formed in response to the estimated two million women in Africa suffering from the severe condition obstetric fistula, caused by obstructed childbirth.

Ms Gloag's foundation aims to help women in Africa receive healthcare during pregnancy and childbirth, as well as providing free surgeries for women who are injured during labour due to lack of medical care. To help prevent the occurrence of fistulas, the foundation will also fund the training of local birth attendants.

Ms Gloag, co-founder of transport giant Stagecoach, said prevention was the long-term solution to the problem.

She said: "These women are mothers, daughters, aunts, yet they are condemned to a life of shame and isolation because they become incontinent due to their fistulas and are outcast by their families and communities.

"What woman in this country can imagine giving birth to a stillborn baby and being left incontinent as a result?"

The foundation was backed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown's wife Sarah, who said: "The launch of the Freedom From Fistula Foundation brings hope to women who have been suffering in silence for far too long."