Celebrating Global Excellence in Sexuality Education at WAS 2025
- WAS Digital
- Jul 23
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 25
PRESS RELEASE
[Brisbane, Australia] – WAS Honors Pioneers in Teaching, Advocacy, and Innovation
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16 June 2025
The World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) is proud to announce the recipients of the WAS Sexuality Education Awards 2025, presented during the opening ceremony of the 27th WAS Congress in Brisbane, Australia.
These prestigious awards celebrate exceptional contributions to the advancement of sexuality education across sectors and regions. They recognize educators, institutions, and organizations whose work has shaped the field through creativity, courage, scientific rigor, and deep community engagement.
“At a time when comprehensive sexuality education is under threat in many parts of the world, these honorees inspire us with their courage, creativity, and global leadership,” said Dr. Elna Rudolph, President of WAS.
About the Awards
Established in 2005, the WAS Awards for Excellence & Innovation in Sexuality Education recognize outstanding contributions in four categories: Non-Governmental Organizations, Individual Educators, Academic Programs and Governmental or Government-Sponsored Programs.
These awards highlight the critical role sexuality educators play in improving health, advancing human rights, and building inclusive societies.
Recipients of the WAS Award for Excellence & Innovation in Sexuality Education 2025
AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE & INNOVATION IN SEXUALITY EDUCATION 2025
Non-Governmental Organization: Category - (Government Sponsored Program) to
Ana Yáñez Otero (ICEXS) Prevención y Atención Primaria en Salud Mental y Sexual (Mérida, España)
Ana Yáñez Otero (ICEXS: Prevención y Atención Primaria en Salud Mental y Sexual, Mérida, Spain) receives the WAS Award for Excellence & Innovation in Sexuality Education (Government‑Sponsored Program) from Dr. Elna Rudolph (WAS Immediate Past President) and Esther Corona Vargas (WAS Vice President).
Ana leads a pioneering initiative in Extremadura integrating mental–sexual health prevention, primary care, and socio‑educational support for adolescents and families.
AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE & INNOVATION IN SEXUALITY EDUCATION 2025
Category (Academic Program) to
Neelam Punjani - University of Alberta
Pictured: Neelam Punjani (University of Alberta, Canada) receives the WAS Award for Excellence & Innovation in Sexuality Education (Academic Program) from Elna Rudolph (WAS Immediate Past President) and Esther Corona Vargas (WAS Vice President).
Dr. Punjani is an Assistant Professor dedicated to promoting positive sexual health for children and youth. She develops digital knowledge-translation tools to support age-appropriate, gender-sensitive sexuality education - an effort recognized with the 2025 WAS Education Award.
AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE & INNOVATION IN SEXUALITY EDUCATION 2025
Category - (Individual) to
Dr. George W. Turner
Pictured: George W. Turner (USA) receives the WAS Award for Excellence & Innovation in Sexuality Education (Individual category) from Elna Rudolph (WAS Immediate Past President) and Esther Corona Vargas (WAS Vice President).
Dr. Turner is a senior social work lecturer and a pioneering sexuality and disability scholar whose work integrates sexual justice into social work education. His research focuses on empowering minoritized populations through relational and sexual well-being, narrative pedagogy, and inclusive practice-including award-winning podcasts and evidence-based teaching interventions.
AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE & INNOVATION IN SEXUALITY EDUCATION 2025
Category - (Individual) to
Montaser Qawadri
Pictured: Montaser Qawadri (Jordan) receives the WAS Award for Excellence & Innovation in Sexuality Education (Individual category).
Montaser is Co‑Founder and Vice President of Pulse, a Jordanian community-based organization registered under the Ministry of Health, dedicated to improving sexual and reproductive health and rights through education, advocacy, and youth leadership.
AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE & INNOVATION IN SEXUALITY EDUCATION 2025
Category (NGO) to
Sense.info – The Dutch site for all your questions about sex
Pictured: Yuri Ohlrichs (Sense.info, Netherlands) receives the WAS Award for Excellence & Innovation in Sexuality Education (NGO category) from Elna Rudolph (WAS Immediate Past President) and Esther Corona Vargas (WAS Vice President).
Sense.info is an online platform serving young people aged 12–25 with accessible, evidence-based information on sexuality and relationships. With over 2 million visits in 2024, it empowers youth to make confident, informed decisions through interactive features, sex-positive content, and expert support via chat, email, phone, and in-person clinics.
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About WAS
Founded in 1978, the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) is a global confederation of professional organizations, academics, health providers, educators, and activists dedicated to promoting sexual health, rights, and justice. With over 80 organizational members and 6 regional federations, WAS leads initiatives that bridge science, advocacy, and community action to advance sexual wellbeing for all.
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