The East Mediterranean Federation of Sexual Health (EMFeSH) has officially launched, establishing the region’s first dedicated federation under the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS). Previously represented through a committee, the East Mediterranean now has a full federation to cater specifically to its unique social, political, and cultural needs. This shift reflects WAS's commitment to being a truly global organization, ensuring that the East Mediterranean’s needs are firmly represented on the global agenda.
EMFeSH unites experts and advocates who share a powerful vision: to address the specific health challenges facing the region while expanding access to essential sexual health services.
Under the leadership of Dr. Faysal El Kak, nominated by the WAS Executive Committee as EMFeSH’s inaugural president, the federation has come together with an exceptional board of founding members from across the region. These dedicated professionals bring a wealth of expertise to advance sexual health in the East Mediterranean. The founding board members include:
Dr. Faysal El Kak (President) - Lebanon
Dr. Bouchra Assarag - Morocco
Dr. Wafaa Tantawy - UK/Egypt
Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh - US/Iran
Dr. Sahar Hasan - Palestine
Dr. Faten Hachani - Tunisia
Dr. Rubina Sohail - Pakistan
Ms. Sohayla El Fakahany - Egypt
Mr. Rami Nasr - Lebanon
For those who missed the launch event, the replay of this landmark webinar is now available. Here, leaders from across the Middle East share invaluable insights into the future of Sexual Health, Rights, Justice and Pleasure in this area.
Highlights from the Webinar
A Vision for Regional Change
Dr. Elna Rudolph, President of WAS, opened the event by emphasizing the importance of EMFeSH and its role within the larger WAS mission. She shared her pride in the federation’s establishment, recognizing the East Mediterranean region’s capacity to bring critical voices, experiences, and perspectives to the global stage.
Dr. Rudolph highlighted EMFeSH as an essential pillar that fills a crucial gap, driven by a commitment to address region-specific needs and contribute valuable perspectives to sexual health advocacy worldwide.
Voices Uniting for a Common Purpose
During the webinar, regional leaders shared insights into the pressing sexual health issues facing their communities, underscoring their collective drive to push for policy changes despite socio-political complexities.
Dr. Faysal El Kak (Lebanon), EMFeSH’s inaugural president, outlined his vision for the federation, stressing the importance of a united front in addressing SRHR barriers.
Dr. Bouchra Assarag (Morocco) highlighted the urgency of supporting maternal and neonatal health, calling for SRHR to be recognized as a core human right. Their presentations echoed a shared drive to bridge SRHR gaps, pushing it to the forefront of public health in the East Mediterranean.
Empowering Youth Amidst Conflict
Ms. Sohayla El Fakahany (Egypt) brought attention to youth engagement, stressing the role of young advocates in driving long-term change and the importance of comprehensive sexuality education for future generations.
In a moving segment, Dr. Sahar Hassan (Palestine) described the severe effects of ongoing conflicts on sexual health, especially in Gaza, where access to healthcare and safe childbirth remain significant challenges. Her remarks reflected the resilience of healthcare providers in conflict zones and the urgent need for humanitarian support and advocacy.
Clinician Insights: Confidential, Inclusive Care
Dr. Wafaa El Tantawy (UK/Egypt) discussed the crucial role clinicians play in advancing sexual health, particularly by offering culturally sensitive and confidential care. She emphasized that building trust is key to empowering individuals to make informed health choices, particularly in regions where sexual health remains taboo.
Guiding Strategy for Lasting Progress
Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh (US/Iran) presented her ‘Wheel of Context for Sexuality Education,’ a strategic tool for professionals in sexual health. This tool provides a pathway to creating impactful programs tailored to the unique cultural, political, and historical settings of the East Mediterranean. Dr. Nasserzadeh emphasized that recognizing each community’s specific needs allows for engagement that resonates deeply and drives meaningful change.
A Movement Towards Lasting Change
The launch of EMFeSH represents a call for a more inclusive, rights-based approach to health across the East Mediterranean, with sexual health now firmly embedded within the region’s healthcare mission. EMFeSH’s work will focus on education, research, and collaborative initiatives, ensuring that everyone can access the resources, advocacy, and care needed to lead empowered lives.
Catch the Replay
Watch the full event replay to experience these impactful discussions and see the future of sexual health unfold in the East Mediterranean. Join us in supporting EMFeSH’s mission to create enduring change and promote sexual health for all.
Comments