WAS FIGO 2025 Collaboration: Strengthening Global Partnerships for Sexual Health

L-R WAS Executive Director, Rene de Klerk, WAS President Faysal El Kak, WAS Immediate Past President Elna Rudolph, WAS Membership Relations Officer, Elzette le Roux.

By Dr. Faysal El Kak, President of the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS)

In October 2025, the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) joined thousands of delegates in Cape Town, South Africa, for the FIGO World Congress of Gynecology and Obstetrics — one of the world’s largest gatherings advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

This WAS FIGO 2025 collaboration marked an important milestone in our mission to position sexual health as central to women’s health, not separate from it.

Building Alliances Through Connection

During the Congress, Dr Elna Rudolph, WAS Immediate Past President, hosted the WAS Media and Communications team and me for a traditional South African braai at her home in Stellenbosch.

The relaxed setting offered a perfect opportunity for reflection and forward planning — from strengthening WAS’s visual identity and expanding membership to enhancing our global media presence and engagement.

It was inspiring to witness the passion and commitment within our team. WAS continues to grow stronger as a global voice for sexual health.

Advancing Sexual Health in Clinical Practice

I had the honor of chairing a session on sexual and reproductive health for vulnerable populations, “Gynecological Health in Vulnerable Populations,” and presenting on “Specific Health Programs for Migrant and Refugee Women.”

Dr Faysal El Kak and Dr Elna Rudolph on stage. Also pictured, Dr Elma de Vries, President of PATHSA, (top right) and Edson Ferreira (bottom right).

Elna co-presented with Dr Elma de Vries, President of the Professional Association for Transgender Health South Africa (PATHSA), in a session hosted by IPPF and WPATH titled “Initiation and Management of Hormonal Therapy Across Public and Private Care Settings.” The session featured Prof. Zozo Dyani-Mhango, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Pretoria; Dr Gail Knudson, Past President of WPATH; and Dr Natalie Kanem, Chief Clinical Advisor at IPPF. Together, they shared insights from South Africa’s experience bridging gaps between public and private transgender healthcare.

Elna also joined a panel on contraception and transgender people, offering practical guidance for clinicians supporting gender-diverse patients in contraceptive decision-making.

Eszter Kismődi, WAS Executive Committee Member and Chair of the Sexual Rights Committee, also attended the Congress, contributing to discussions and meetings focused on integrating rights-based approaches into clinical care.

Strengthening Institutional Partnerships

I held productive meetings with the President of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) and the incoming President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) to explore ways to integrate sexual health more deeply into obstetrics and gynecology practice worldwide.

Together, we agreed to formalize this collaboration through a forthcoming Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Expanding Collaboration Across the Life Course

A highlight of the Congress was a trilateral meeting between WAS, the International Menopause Society (IMS), and the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH).

Together, we agreed to collaborate on initiatives addressing sexual health across the life course, with a focus on menopause and midlife well-being. A draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was shared, outlining plans to:

• Co-develop global educational resources for clinicians and communities;

• Create shared symposia and publications;

• Promote joint membership opportunities; and

• Form a Special Interest Group on sexual health in midlife and beyond.

This collaborative step reflects our shared mission to promote evidence-based, person-centered approaches to sexual health and well-being.

WAS in Action at FIGO

The WAS booth was active throughout the five-day event, serving as a vibrant hub for networking, learning, and global engagement.

L-R: WAS Communications Lead, Lisa Welsh, WAS Executive Director, René de Klerk, and WAS Membership Relations Officer, Elzette le Roux

Our Executive Director, René de Klerk, our Membership Relations Officer, Elzette le Roux, and our Communications Lead, Lisa Welsh, connected with partners, members, and health professionals, highlighting our growing network and resources.

We also attended a powerful side event led by FIGO and the International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP), where I presented the WAS perspective on advancing SRHR through an integrated, justice-based framework.

For those who visited the booth — thank you for engaging with us. For those who couldn’t join in person, you can learn more about WAS membership here and be part of our global community advancing Sexual Health, Rights, and Justice FOR ALL!

Looking Ahead

The Cape Town Congress marked an important milestone in our ongoing efforts to strengthen partnerships across medical, academic, and advocacy sectors.

By building bridges with organizations such as FIGO, RCOG, IMS, and ISSWSH, WAS reinforces its role as a global convener for sexual health — ensuring that pleasure, rights, and justice remain central to healthcare and policy worldwide.