| Dear WAS Members and Friends,
This month, we turn our attention to an often-overlooked aspect of sexual health and well-being - menopause.
Every October, the world recognizes World Menopause Day (October 18), shining a light on the experiences, challenges, and resilience of people navigating this universal but often overlooked life transition. Yet, in many parts of the world, conversations about menopause remain limited - especially when it comes to its impact on sexual health, rights, and pleasure.
| | | A Message from the WAS President | | | | In a new blog post, WAS President Faysal El Kak explores Menopause and Sexual Health, emphasizing the importance of awareness, access to care, and inclusion across all stages of life.
He reminds us that menopause marks not an end, but a new chapter in sexual health - one that invites us to rethink well-being and pleasure across the life course, and to ensure that systems of care reflect the realities of all people.
| | | Upcoming Webinar: Reflections on the Porto Proclamation | | | | The momentum of World Sexual Health Day 2025 has been amplified by the landmark Porto Proclamation on Sexual Health, Rights, and Justice, adopted at the inaugural World Sexual Health Assembly in Porto, Portugal.
On 16 October 2025, WAS will host a special webinar to explore what this Proclamation means in practice - and how it can shape sexual health, rights, and justice in the years to come.
The Porto Proclamation on Sexual Health, Rights, and Justice: What Happened in Porto Will Not Stay in Porto
Date: Thursday, 16 October 2025
Time: 16:00 – 17:30 SAST | Find your local time here
This 90-minute session will bring together global voices reflecting on how the Porto Proclamation can guide collective action toward 2030. | | | Faysal El Kak (Lebanon) - President, World Association for Sexual Health (WAS); Director, Women Integrated Sexual Health (WISH) Program, American University of Beirut
Elna Rudolph (South Africa) - Chair, World Sexual Health Assembly Organizing Committee; Immediate Past President, WAS; Director, Sexual Health Africa (SHA)
Eszter Kismődi (Switzerland) - Chief Executive, Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters (SRHM); Executive Committee Member & Chair, WAS Sexual Rights Committee
Christopher Fox (Australia) - President, Asia-Oceania Federation of Sexology (AOFS); Co-Director, Postgraduate Program in Sexual & Reproductive Health, University of Sydney
Miranda van Reeuwijk (The Netherlands) - Research Unit Manager, Rutgers
Susana Medina Salas (Spain) - Program Implementation Lead, Fòs Feminista
Bouchra Assarag (Morocco) - President, Eastern Mediterranean Federation of Sexual Health (EMFeSH)
This free webinar is an opportunity to hear directly from those shaping the future of global sexual health and rights.
Click here to learn more about the Porto Proclamation on Sexual Health, Rights, and Justice.
Read the WSHA blog post for context on the Assembly that brought this historic declaration to life here. | | | WAS at FIGO 2025: Advancing Sexual Health in Gynecology and Obstetrics | | | | Last week, WAS joined thousands of delegates in Cape Town, South Africa, for the FIGO World Congress of Gynecology and Obstetrics Congress (5–9 October 2025).
From the exhibition floor to the main stage, WAS highlighted why sexual health must be recognized as central to women's health, not separate from it.
WAS President Faysal El Kak and Immediate Past President Elna Rudolph both presented at the Congress. Faysal spoke in the session "Gynecological Health in Vulnerable Populations" and presented on "Specific Health Programs for Migrant and Refugee Women."
Elna presented in two sessions, highlighting inclusive and evidence-based approaches to sexual and reproductive health. She co-presented with Dr Elma de Vries, President of PATHSA (Professional Association for Transgender Health South Africa), in the session "Initiation and Management of Hormonal Therapy Across Public and Private Care Settings." Together, they shared insights from South Africa's experience in bridging gaps between public-sector and private-sector transgender healthcare.
She also joined a panel discussion 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 contributed to discussions on integrating rights-based approaches in clinical care.
The WAS Executive Director René de Klerk and office team were also on site, connecting with partners, members, and health professionals.
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 join our global community advancing sexual health, rights, and justice for all. | | | In Memoriam: Dr. Mireille Bonierbale (1945 – 2025) | | | | WAS is deeply saddened to share the passing of Dr. Mireille Bonierbale, who died on 20 September 2025 at the Léon Bérard Hospital in Lyon, France.
Based in Marseille, Dr. Bonierbale dedicated more than four decades to advancing medical sexology as a physician, psychiatrist, and educator. She directed the Interdisciplinary Diploma in Sexology at the University of Marseille (1988–2012), served as President of the Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Association of Sexology (AIUS), and was a founding member of both the French Federation of Sexology and Sexual Health and SOFECT (French Society for the Study and Treatment of Transsexualism).
As founding editor-in-chief of Sexologies: European Journal of Sexology and Sexual Health, Dr. Bonierbale helped establish a leading platform for sexological research in Europe. Her pioneering work in the care of transgender adults, sexual dysfunction, and forensic sexology leaves a lasting legacy.
Dr. Bonierbale received the WAS Gold Medal in 2019 at the WAS Congress in Mexico City, honoring her lifelong commitment to an open, multidisciplinary approach to sexual health.
Her influence, compassion, and scholarship will continue to guide generations of sexologists and health professionals around the world. | | | Looking Ahead: November Member Events | | | | November is packed with opportunities to advance sexual health globally, thanks to our WAS organizational members. | |
Nov 3–6: ICFP 2025
The International Conference on Family Planning is bringing together researchers, advocates, and communities to ensure family planning access for all.
Learn more and register here. | | |
Nov 12–16: SSSS Conference
The Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality is presenting cutting-edge sex research that meets real-world application.
Learn more and register here. | | |
Nov 21–22: Spanish Sexology Conference & Ibero-American Meeting
This combined event is providing updates in Sexological Science across research, education, society, and clinical practice.
Learn more and register here. | | | | Whether you're attending in person or following along online, these events demonstrate the collective momentum of our global community. Each presentation, connection, and collaboration brings us closer to a world where comprehensive sexual health care is the standard, not the exception. | | Member Organization Highlight:
GALDEF Webinar Replay | | | | In recognition of World Sexual Health Month, the Genital Autonomy Legal Defense and Education Fund (GALDEF) hosted a global webinar, "Circumcision and Sexual Justice: What Can We Do?", on 20 September 2025.
The event explored circumcision through the lens of sexual justice, bodily integrity, and genital autonomy, featuring personal testimonials from individuals across heterosexual, gay, intersex, and transgender communities. It also included reflections from mental health and medical professionals, a U.S. attorney working for justice in the courts, and a Jewish perspective on education and bodily integrity. | | | Disclaimer: As a global network, WAS shares events and resources from its member organizations to promote knowledge exchange. The views expressed in these events are those of the organizers and do not necessarily reflect the official position or endorsement of WAS. All WAS members are expected to uphold the principles outlined in the WAS Declarations. | | | As we honor the legacies that shaped our field and look toward the conversations ahead, we're reminded that every voice strengthens the movement for sexual health, rights, and justice worldwide.
With solidarity,
The World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) | | 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. | | | |  | |
0 comments:
Post a Comment