Sydney: Singer Natalie Imbruglia is spearheading a campaign to raise awareness for women who have a hole in their birth canal as a result of childbirth without assistance.

The Torn singer took statistics related to fistula to international politicians and leaders at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland on Monday (06Jul09).

The Australian pop star and actress, who has been a spokeswoman for an obstetric fistula program supported by the U.N. Population Fund for four years, says, "There’s a lot of shame... It’s a double trauma. Some of them (victims) are ostracised from their community. They feel dirty. They feel ashamed."

She told the United Nations Economic and Social Council officials fistula affects more than two million people in developing nations, and can lead to chronic medical problems.

She told a session of the U.N. that countries needed to better support poor women susceptible to fistula.

Imbruglia added, "The topic needs a voice, and I’m happy to lend my voice and give my time to end fistula."