Honouring Prof. Romano Forleo: A Founding Voice in Global Sexual Health
- WAS Digital
- Aug 19
- 4 min read
12 November 1933 – 1 August 2025
The World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) mourns the passing of Prof. Romano Forleo, our founding president and a visionary leader in the history of sexual health. He passed away peacefully in Rome on 1 August 2025, at the age of 91.
A Legacy That Shaped Our Mission
Prof. Forleo co-founded the World Association for Sexology (now WAS) in 1978, serving as its first president during the Third World Congress of Sexology in Rome. His leadership established the foundation for a global movement grounded in science, ethics, and collaboration.
His vision aligns with the very mission WAS upholds today:
To promote and advocate for sexual health and sexual rights throughout the lifespan and worldwide by advancing sexology, science-based sexuality knowledge, research, comprehensive sexuality education, clinical care and services.
Prof. Forleo’s early focus on international collaboration, patient-centred care, and breaking down taboos is reflected in the core purpose of WAS - to advance global cooperation, expand sexuality education, support sexual medicine and influence policy and advocacy.
A Life of Professional Distinction
Born in Bologna in 1933, Prof. Forleo graduated with honors in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Florence in 1958. He specialised in Obstetrics and Gynecology (1962) and in Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases (1964). He later founded and led the Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology at San Giovanni Calibita Fatebenefratelli Hospital in Rome (now Gemelli Isola) for 25 years.
Prof. Forleo was a doctor who innovated Italian gynecology by promoting humanized practices in obstetrics, accompanying countless parents through more conscious, serene, and participatory birth experiences. He was a pioneer in welcoming fathers into the delivery room, intuiting long in advance the importance of relationship, sharing, and respect for emotions in childbirth.
Deeply committed to the well-being and dignity of women, he dedicated his career to advancing safer childbirth practices, promoting reproductive rights, and addressing the often-overlooked complexities of female sexuality.
Prof. Forleo also briefly served as a senator in the Italian Republic (1993–1994), reflecting his broader commitment to systems-level change.
A Leader Who Embodied Our Values
Prof. Forleo’s work embodied the values that continue to guide WAS today:
Rights-Focused: He championed sexual and reproductive rights before they were globally recognized.
Professional: His medical and scientific credentials gave authority and credibility to the field.
Inclusive: He opened space for interdisciplinary dialogue in an often siloed field.
Collaborative: He believed strongly in international partnership and knowledge exchange.
As Roberta Rossi, Past President of the Italian Federation of Scientific Sexology, reflected:
“Prof. Forleo was, together with other eminent colleagues, a precursor of ideas and approaches at a time when it was still difficult to talk about sexuality in a scientific way. He promoted a respectful, educational, and scientific approach to sexual health, leaving a legacy of dedication to his work and to the many people he met throughout his life. His contributions continue to inspire sexologists and health professionals in Italy and around the world.”
A Legacy Carried Forward
Prof. Forleo remained active in the WAS community long after his presidency. He participated in milestone events such as the 40th and 49th anniversaries, provided guidance in times of transition, and continued to inspire generations of sexual health professionals.
His impact echoes in our current work - from hosting WAS Webinars and publishing global Declarations, to advancing the International Journal of Sexual Health, celebrating World Sexual Health Day, and partnering with the UNFPA on sexuality education initiatives.
His family has shared that a further celebration of his life and legacy will be held in the coming months, and they are considering the establishment of a foundation to continue his work.
Thank You, Prof. Forleo
The sexual health field - and all who work within it - owe a debt to Prof. Forleo’s vision and tenacity. He not only imagined a better world; he helped build the structure to make it possible.
He is remembered not only as a physician and advocate, but as a visionary whose courage, compassion, and innovation helped transform obstetrics, gynecology, and sexual health into fields centered on dignity, empathy, and collaboration.
We honor his memory with gratitude and a renewed commitment to the mission he helped define.
Comments