Dear WAS Members and Friends,
Every two years, the World Association for Sexual Health celebrates individuals whose vision, courage, and commitment have shaped the field of sexology and sexual health globally.
Today, we are proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 WAS Gold Medal Awards—the highest individual honor awarded by WAS. These trailblazers will be recognized with special Gold Medal Lectures at the 27th WAS Congress in Brisbane this June.
Their work has transformed the landscape of sexual medicine, rights, and education across continents—and we invite you to read more about their powerful legacies below.
| | Before we dive into this week's updates, two important reminders | | |
✔️ WAS Interim General Assembly – RSVP by 14 April
A reminder for WAS Member Organizations and Advisory Committee members to confirm attendance at the Interim General Assembly taking place online on 24 April at 15:00 SAST. If you have not received the formal invitation, please contact us at membership@worldsexualhealth.net.
✔️ Free Webinar: Sexual Justice—Why Now?
Join us on 17 April for a vital 90-minute conversation exploring what sexual justice means in today's world, moderated by WAS Vice President Alain Giami with insights from five international speakers. Register here. | |
Coming up in this newsletter:
✔️ Meet the 2025 WAS Gold Medal Recipients
✔️ New commentary: The role of healthcare associations in advancing CSE
✔️ World Health Day 2025 – Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures
✔️ SSSS is hiring a new Executive Director
Keep reading to learn more.
| | Announcing the 2025 WAS Gold Medal Award Recipients | | | Professor Rosemary Coates (Australia) | | | Professor Rosemary Coates has dedicated over four decades to advancing sexual health, medical ethics, and human rights. In 1978, she established the first sexology teaching and research program at Curtin University in Australia—laying the foundation for generations of professionals in the field. Her expertise spans medical ethics, sexual rights, and issues such as sexual slavery.
Recognized with an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2012 for her service to reproductive and sexual health, Rosemary has also contributed as a technical advisor to the World Health Organization on multiple working groups.
As WAS President (2009–2013), she launched World Sexual Health Day (WSHD)—now celebrated annually in over 60 countries. Her leadership cemented global recognition for sexual health as a human right and expanded WAS's global influence.
Rosemary's vision and advocacy have left a lasting mark on the global landscape of sexology, education, and rights-based health.
| | Dr. Woet Gianotten (Netherlands) | | | Dr. Woet Gianotten is a retired MD-psychotherapist and emeritus Senior Lecturer in Medical Sexology at the University Medical Centers of Utrecht and Rotterdam. Originally trained in surgery and obstetrics, he turned to sexology in the 1980s and became a pioneer in the field of medical sexology, with a focus on the intersections of chronic illness, disability, aging, and sexuality.
A co-developer of oncosexology and rehabilitation sexology, Dr. Gianotten has worked tirelessly to address the often-overlooked sexual needs of individuals with chronic conditions or physical impairments. His work has extended into taboo areas such as sexuality at the end of life, hemophilia and sexuality, and the potential role of medically trained sex workers.
Through decades of teaching, research, and writing—including numerous books and manuals—Dr. Gianotten has advanced a model of sexual medicine rooted in justice, rights, and the lived realities of marginalized populations. His leadership in bringing sexual health into conversations around illness, care, and aging has significantly shaped both medical and human rights approaches to sexology.
| | WAS extends heartfelt congratulations to Professor Rosemary Coates and Dr. Woet Gianotten. Their lifelong commitment to advancing sexual health, rights, and education continues to inspire our global community. We look forward to celebrating their achievements at WAS 2025 in Brisbane.
| | New Commentary in Journal of Adolescent Health | | | CSE and the Role of Healthcare Professional Associations | | | WAS is proud to share the publication of a new open-access commentary in the Journal of Adolescent Health, co-authored by leading members of our global community, including Esther Corona Vargas, Member of the WAS Executive Committee, and supported by five international healthcare professional associations.
"Comprehensive Sexuality Education, Healthcare Professional Associations, and the Future of the World's Youth" affirms that access to comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) is a fundamental human right—and a public health imperative.
This collaborative piece underscores the critical role of healthcare professionals in advocating for evidence-based CSE, building cross-sectoral alliances, and ensuring that young people—especially those often excluded from formal schooling—receive the information and support they need to lead healthy, empowered lives.
This commentary features collective support from: - WAS – World Association for Sexual Health
- FIGIJ – International Federation of Paediatric and Adolescent Gynaecology
- FIGO – International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics
- IAAH – International Association for Adolescent Health
- IPA – International Pediatric Association
We encourage all members to read, share, and amplify this important work across their networks.
Citation: Gray NJ, Bansal CP, Corona E, Jayasinghe Y, Kang M, Labovsky M, Sridhar A, Sussman L, Klein JD. Comprehensive Sexuality Education, Healthcare Professional Associations, and the Future of the World's Youth. J Adolesc Health. 2025. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2025.02.002
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Monday marked the WHO's World Health Day 2025 under the theme Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures—a global call to prioritize maternal and newborn health as a foundation for strong families, communities, and societies.
WAS stands in strong support of this call. In a time of shrinking health budgets and growing politicization of sexual and reproductive rights, we remain deeply committed to championing access to safe, respectful, and rights-based care before, during, and after birth.
| | Executive Director Opportunity | | |
While WAS does not typically share job postings or career opportunities in this space, we recognize the current moment: across the globe, many working in SRHR are facing funding cuts, job losses, and organizational restructuring.
In contrast, some institutions—like the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality (SSSS), a long-standing WAS Member Organization—are continuing to grow and evolve. We're pleased to share this unique leadership opportunity with our community as a timely and inspiring example of resilience in the field.
SSSS is currently seeking its next Executive Director—a collaborative, visionary leader ready to expand global partnerships, grow membership, and strengthen the impact of sex research.
Interested candidates may contact thesociety@sexscience.org or jdowling@tsne.org for more information.
| | In closing, we invite you to join us in celebrating the remarkable contributions of our 2025 WAS Gold Medal recipients. Their legacies embody the very heart of our mission—and we look forward to honoring them with special lectures at the 27th WAS Congress in Brisbane this June.
Thank you for being part of the WAS community and for your continued commitment to advancing Sexual Health and Rights for ALL.
The World Association for Sexual Health
| | | Upcoming WAS 2025 Deadlines:
Accommodation Bookings: 17 May 2025
Standard Registration: 30 May 2025 | | | Support the Mission of WAS We invite you to support the ongoing work of the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS).
Your contributions help us continue our mission of promoting Sexual Health, Rights, and Justice globally. Consider becoming a supporting member or making a financial contribution today.
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