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Sexual Justice Takes Center Stage at WAS 2025

Updated: Jul 23

PRESS RELEASE


[Brisbane, Australia] – Newly ratified Declaration calls for systemic change to end discrimination, violence, and exclusion

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18 June 2025


The World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) proudly announces the official ratification of the Declaration on Sexual Justice, a bold and unifying global framework to advance sexual rights, equity, and dignity for all. The Declaration was formally ratified by the General Assembly of the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) on 18 June 2025, during the 27th WAS Congress in Brisbane, Australia.


This historic proclamation affirms that sexual justice is an essential pillar of social justice, foundational to the realization of sexual health and rights. It challenges the systems, structures, and ideologies that perpetuate discrimination, exclusion, and violence based on sexuality, gender, and bodily diversity.



“Sexual justice is a political compass for action,” said WAS Vice President and Initiative Co-Chair Alain Giami. “It demands equity, reparation, and structural transformation. This Declaration reflects decades of movement-building and signals a bold step forward for our global community.”



From Vision to Action


Since its inception during the Sexual Justice Indaba at the 25th WAS Congress hosted in South Africa and its initial proclamation in Antalya, Türkiye, in 2023, the Sexual Justice Declaration has undergone an extensive process of global consultation, collaboration, and development, including regional dialogues, literature reviews, and contributions from an expert Steering Committee of practitioners, researchers, and advocates across all world regions.


Speakers from the WAS Symposium “Sexual Justice: Dismantling Barriers to Sexual Health and Rights,” held on 16 June 2025 at the 27th WAS Congress in Brisbane, Australia. Pictured L–R: Dr. Zahra Stardust, Prof. Yuko Higashi, Prof. Esben Esther Pirelli Benestad, Prof. Alain Giami, Dr. Jaime Barrientos Delgado, Dr. Ons Kaabia, Ms. Esther Corona-Vargas, and Dr. Uwemedimo Uko Esiet.
Speakers from the WAS Symposium “Sexual Justice: Dismantling Barriers to Sexual Health and Rights,” held on 16 June 2025 at the 27th WAS Congress in Brisbane, Australia. Pictured L–R: Dr. Zahra Stardust, Prof. Yuko Higashi, Prof. Esben Esther Pirelli Benestad, Prof. Alain Giami, Dr. Jaime Barrientos Delgado, Dr. Ons Kaabia, Ms. Esther Corona-Vargas, and Dr. Uwemedimo Uko Esiet.
The Sexual Justice Symposium at #WAS2025 continued the conversation with additional voices from around the world, addressing justice through cultural, clinical, and policy lenses. Pictured L–R: Esther Corona-Vargas and Prof. Alain Giami.
The Sexual Justice Symposium at #WAS2025 continued the conversation with additional voices from around the world, addressing justice through cultural, clinical, and policy lenses. Pictured L–R: Esther Corona-Vargas and Prof. Alain Giami.
Professor Esben Esther Pirelli Benestad (Norway), President of the European Federation for Sexology, reads the WAS Declaration on Sexual Justice aloud during the Closing Ceremony of the 27th WAS Congress in Brisbane.
Professor Esben Esther Pirelli Benestad (Norway), President of the European Federation for Sexology, reads the WAS Declaration on Sexual Justice aloud during the Closing Ceremony of the 27th WAS Congress in Brisbane.

The ratification in Brisbane represents not only the endorsement of a powerful rights-based vision but also of a Position Paper, a companion framework providing the historical, conceptual, and policy context to operationalize sexual justice at local, national, and global levels. This position paper will be submitted for publication in the International Journal for Sexual Health. 


The Declaration affirms that:


  • Sexual justice is inseparable from health, gender, racial, environmental, and economic justice.

  • Bodily autonomy, consent, and access to sexual health services and education are non-negotiable human rights.

  • Accountability of state and non-state actors is essential to dismantle systemic barriers and ensure redress for past and ongoing violations.


A Global Call


WAS now calls on governments, parliaments, international organizations, academic institutions, civil society, and community leaders to take up the vision of the Declaration and embed it into legal frameworks, health systems, and public policy, ensuring that sexual justice is not only proclaimed but practiced.


“In a time of backlash, censorship, and mounting rights violations, recognition is not enough,” said WAS President Elna Rudolph. “We must commit to structural change, courageous action, and lasting justice.”


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Steering Committee


The development of the Declaration and Position Paper was led by a global Steering Committee, co-chaired by Alain Giami and Esther Corona, and comprised of Shereen El Feki, Amaranta Gómez Regalado, Ricardo Hernández Forcada, Eszter Kismödi, Sharful Islam Khan (Bobby), Agata Loewe Kurilla, Denise Medico, Luis Perelman, Magaly Pirotte, Richard Parker, Lebo Ramofoko, and Zahra Stardust. The project was coordinated by Lisa Welsh.


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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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Media Queries


Contact Lisa Welsh, our Communications Lead.

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