Dear WAS Members and Friends,
This week we turn our full attention to World Sexual Health Day 2025, taking place in just two days on 4 September.
This year's global theme, "Sexual Justice: What Can We Do?", invites us all to reflect, take action, and join together in advancing sexual health and rights worldwide.
Across the globe, events and conversations will highlight how each of us - professionals, educators, advocates, and community members - can contribute to a more just and inclusive world.
| | | What's Ahead: A Week of Milestones | | | On 4 September, you are invited to join three important live events marking WSHD 2025:
1️⃣ The Official WSHD Webinar - "Sexual Justice: Why Now?"
2️⃣ The PAHO/WHO–WAS Launch of an Online Course for primary health care workers
3️⃣ The Porto Public Session & Launch of the World Observatory on Sexual Health
On 5 September, WAS will also convene the historic first World Sexual Health Assembly (WSHA) in Porto - a bold new leadership platform for sexual health, rights, and justice worldwide.
And beyond joining these events, you can also:
✅ Use the official WSHD toolkit to spread the word
✅ Share your WSHD activities on social media using #WSHD2025 and #SexualJustice – and tag WAS so we can amplify your posts
✅ Share your WSHD events with us directly here
✅ Support the future of global sexual health by becoming a Founding Donor of the WSHA
Together, these moments mark a turning point for sexual health, rights, justice, and pleasure around the globe. Read below for full details on each event and how you can take part.
| | | Three Key Events on 4 September | | | | 1. Official WSHD 2025 Webinar –
"Sexual Justice: Why Now?" | | | 4 September 2025 | 12:00 CEST | Zoom | | The official global webinar of World Sexual Health Day 2025 brings together leading voices from across regions to unpack what sexual justice means for policy, practice, and lived experience – and what action is urgently needed now.
The session opens with remarks from René de Klerk (WAS Executive Director), Faysal El Kak (WAS President), and Lynn Barclay (Chair of the WSHD Committee). The webinar will then be led by Alain Giami (Co-Chair of the Sexual Justice Initiative).
Featured Speakers & Topics - Alain Giami (France): Developing Sexual Justice
- Angelica Espinosa Miranda (Brazil): Inequalities in Sexual & Reproductive Health in Brazil
- Denise Medico (Switzerland/Canada): A Sexual Justice Perspective in Psychosexual Therapy
- Esther Corona-Vargas (Mexico): Can Education Address Youth's Sexual Injustices?
- Md. Sharful Islam Khan (Bangladesh): Narratives of HIV Programs in South Asia in an Anti-Diversity Era
The session will be conducted in English, with live subtitles available in multiple languages via Zoom.
| | | 2. Launch of the PAHO/WHO–WAS Online Course
(Latin America & Caribbean) | | |
4 September 2025 | 14:15 CEST | Zoom
| | A milestone for primary health care: PAHO/WHO and WAS will officially launch a new online course on sexual health designed for frontline providers across Latin America and the Caribbean – and accessible worldwide.
The 30-minute session will feature: - Opening remarks by Esther Corona-Vargas (Vice-President, WAS) and Suzanne Serruya (Unit Chief, Women's, Maternal, Neonatal, and Reproductive Health, PAHO)
- Course presentation by Veronica Fiol, PAHO Sexual and Reproductive Health Consultant
- Demonstration of the PAHO Virtual Campus, where the course will be hosted
The session will be conducted in English and Spanish, with simultaneous interpretation also available in Portuguese.
| | | 3. Launch of the World Observatory on Sexual Health (Porto) | | | 4 September 2025 | 15:00 CEST | Zoom | | An historic step for global sexual health: The University of Porto and WAS will launch the World Observatory on Sexual Health, a new global hub for knowledge and collaboration. The public session will also feature high-level addresses, plenary conferences, and two roundtables on sexual justice and the state of sexual health in Portugal.
Highlights of the program include: - Opening Session & Addresses by António Sousa Pereira (Rector, University of Porto), Pedro Nobre (WAS Past President and FPCEUP Director), Faysal El Kak (WAS President), Rita Sá Machado (General Director of Health), and Ana Paula Martins (Minister of Health)
- Plenary Conferences: Pascale Allotey (WHO) on The State of Sexual Health in the World; Mónica Ferro (UNFPA) on The State of Sexual Health in Europe
- Roundtable 1 – Sexual Justice: Moderated by Eszter Kismödi (WAS EC), with contributions from Bouchra Assarag, Elna Rudolph, Esther Corona-Vargas, and Julia Ehrt
- Roundtable 2 – The State of Sexual Health in Portugal: Presentation of the National Sexual Health Study (SHAPE) by Pedro Nobre, followed by discussion with leading experts
- Launch of the World Observatory on Sexual Health through the signing of the official Declaration
Registration for in-person attendance is now closed, but the session will be livestreamed in English and open to all.
| | | 5 September: The First World Sexual Health Assembly | | | |
Inaugural meeting in Porto, Portugal - uniting global leaders for sexual health, rights, and justice
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On 5 September 2025, the celebrations of World Sexual Health Day give way to action. WAS will convene the first World Sexual Health Assembly (WSHA) in Porto - a historic milestone bringing together leaders from across regions and disciplines to influence policy, safeguard progress, and coordinate global action on sexual health, rights, and justice.
Carry the Momentum Forward: Become a Founding Donor
One of the most important ways you can mark this year's WSHD is by supporting the inaugural meeting of the WSHA. By pledging as little as $100 (payable by end 2025), your name will be listed among the Founding Donors - visionary leaders standing with WAS to build the future of sexual health, rights, and justice.
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World Sexual Health Day is a truly global celebration - and the impact grows when each of us shares it further.
We encourage you to forward this newsletter to your colleagues, networks, and member organizations, and invite them to join the conversation.
Every share helps amplify the call for sexual health, rights, justice, and pleasure for ALL.
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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