Dear WAS Members and Friends,
This week is all about looking ahead: meeting the leaders guiding WAS into its next chapter, preparing for World Sexual Health Day, and taking a quick look back through WAS in Photos.
In this issue:
- This Thursday: Get to know the WAS Officers in our 21 August webinar
- Get ready for World Sexual Health Day (WHSD) - 4 September 2025
- Hear Faysal El Kak in conversation on SRHM's podcast
Let's begin.
| | | Upcoming Webinar: WAS 2025–2029 - New Horizons; Global Reach | | | |
21 August 2025 | 15:00 SAST | Zoom
| | This is your opportunity to meet and engage with the new Officers of WAS.
In this live discussion, our leadership will share their collective vision for the next four years, focusing on strengthening global reach, building regional partnerships, and addressing the most pressing challenges in sexual health and rights today. | |
Faysal El Kak (Lebanon) - President of WAS | Associate Professor of OBGYN Sexual Health and Director, Women Integrated Sexual Health (WISH) Program, American University of Beirut
Topic: WAS: The Power of Global Solidarity | | |
Erick Janssen (Belgium) – Secretary-General / Treasurer | Professor in Sexology and Director, Institute for Family and Sexuality Studies, University of Leuven
Topic: From Evidence to Impact: Advancing Global Sexual Health and Rights Through Science | | |
Esther Corona Vargas (Mexico) – Vice-President of WAS | Founder of the Mexican Association for Sexuality Education
Topic: Lessons for the future. WAS through five decades | | |
Elna Rudolph (South Africa) – Immediate Past President of WAS | Medical Doctor, Sexologist, and Clinical Head of My Sexual Health
Topic: WAS Up?: World Sexual Health Day and The Inaugural meeting of the World Sexual Health Assembly | | | | World Sexual Health Day - Just Two Weeks Away | | |
The countdown is on! In just over two weeks, communities, service providers, educators, and advocates around the world will mark World Sexual Health Day (WSHD) - this year under the theme "Sexual Justice: What Can We Do?"
Whether you're hosting an event, sharing resources online, or starting conversations in your community, your participation matters. Every action helps bring sexual justice from vision to reality.
Here's how you can get involved:
✔️ Submit your event so we can share it on WAS channels.
✔️ Use the official toolkit - posters, slides, conversation cards, and more.
✔️ Spread the word using #WSHD2025 and #SexualJustice.
Together, let's make this WSHD a global celebration of rights, health, and dignity.
| | | SRHM - Podcast with Dr. Faysal El Kak | | | |
From Our Member Organization
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WAS is proud to share the latest episode from our organizational member Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters (SRHM).
In this conversation, SRHM Chief Executive, and Chair of the WAS Sexual Rights Committee Eszter Kismödi, speaks with Faysal El Kak about his vision as WAS President - and the opportunities and challenges ahead for sexual health worldwide.
From navigating rising anti-rights movements and economic pressures, to amplifying youth activism and intersectional approaches, Dr. El Kak discusses how WAS can act as a powerful convening force for global change.
The episode also offers a preview of the World Sexual Health Assembly in Porto, where international leaders will come together to shape a shared roadmap for the next five years.
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The very first World Sexual Health Day was launched by WAS on 4 September 2010, with the theme "Let's talk about it… an intergenerational discussion." The goal was to spark dialogue between youth and adults about sexual health, grounded in the idea that sexual health is only attainable through sexual rights.
More than 25 countries took part that first year - from Mexico and Venezuela to Sweden, Japan, and Italy - marking the start of what has since grown into a truly global tradition.
In 2011, the focus shifted to "Youth's sexual health: Shared rights and responsibilities," coinciding with the launch of the WAS Youth Initiative. By 2012, over 40 countries joined under the theme "Celebrating diversity."
Fifteen years later, WSHD continues to unite communities worldwide - and this year we invite you to join us under the theme "Sexual Justice: What Can We Do?"
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World Sexual Health Day has grown into a vibrant, global movement. Last year, organizations and communities in over 50 countries marked WSHD with events, campaigns, and conversations centered on positive relationships.
One highlight came from IPAS Nigeria, who shared this message: "Women and girls need information on their sexual health to make the right decisions for positive relationships that are respectful and free from sexual violence and coercion."
This September, you can add your voice too - join the global celebration of WSHD 2025 under the theme "Sexual Justice: What Can We Do?"
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Whether you're organizing an event, sharing resources, or sparking conversations in your community, every action you take for World Sexual Health Day strengthens the global movement for sexual justice.
Mark your calendar: September 4, 2025
Spread the word: Use #WSHD2025 and #SexualJustice
Use the Toolkit: Posters, slides, cards & more
Submit your event: Let us know how you're participating
Let's make this WSHD a global celebration of rights, health, and dignity.
The World Association for Sexual Health
| | 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.
Donations are tax-deductible in the USA. | | | |  | |
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