| Dear WAS Members and Friends,
From Cape Town to Bogotá, the past weeks have been a powerful time for WAS — with our leadership representing the Confederation on the world stage to advance sexual health, rights, and justice. | | | WAS Vice-President Esther Corona Vargas Honored with the 2025 ICFP Luminary Award | | | | We are proud to announce that Esther Corona Vargas, Vice-President of the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS), has been honored with the 2025 ICFP Luminary Award — presented during the closing ceremony of the International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP 2025) in Bogotá, Colombia.
The Luminary Award celebrates bold, transformative leaders whose lifelong work has advanced sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) with integrity, innovation, and a deep commitment to equity. Esther's pioneering leadership in Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and her tireless advocacy for inclusion and justice have inspired generations of educators, clinicians, and advocates around the world.
| | | Carrying Forward Global Solidarity for Sexual Health, Rights, and Justice | | |
CSE faces unprecedented opposition worldwide. Yet in Bogotá, we witnessed what's possible when leaders, youth advocates, and organizations unite — strategies shared, partnerships forged, and momentum sustained.
| | | | L–R: Miranda van Reeuwijk (Rutgers), Esther Corona Vargas (WAS Vice-President), and Celena Rodallega (Youth Representative, Profamilia RedJoven) speaking at the ICFP 2025 Pre-Conference Partners Meeting, "Strengthening Transnational Solidarity for the Promotion of CSE," in Bogotá, Colombia. | | | More than 5,000 global leaders gathered for the seventh International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP 2025) — to share innovations, set regional priorities, and develop real strategies for advancing inclusive, evidence-based, and rights-affirming CSE.
Esther, who co-facilitated the segment "The Path Forward," played a key role in guiding the closing Call to Action alongside youth advocate Celena Rodallega of Profamilia's RedJoven network.
Later that evening, WAS and Rutgers co-hosted a World Sexual Health Assembly (WSHA) Leadership Dinner, uniting advocates, funders, and decision-makers to turn the principles of the Porto Proclamation on Sexual Health, Rights, and Justice into shared action. | |  | | ICFP 2025 Opening Video: Meeting the Moment Through Community-led, Equity-focused Solutions | | | Rights-Based, Justice-Oriented Approaches | |
WAS was also represented by Eszter Kismődi (Executive Committee Member and Chair of the Sexual Rights Committee), who contributed to discussions on integrating rights-based, justice-oriented approaches across sexual and reproductive health in an ICFP spotlight session.
| | | | L–R: Ann Moore (IPPF, Philippines), Eszter Kismődi (WAS Executive Committee Member), Marta Royo (Executive Director, Profamilia, Colombia), and Pascale Allotey (Director, WHO). | | | Upcoming WAS Webinar — November 20, 2025 | | | | Reflecting on Professional Education in Sexology | | | Join us for the next WAS Global Webinar, hosted by the Professional Education in Sexology (PES) Committee — a conversation that not only reflects on recent milestones but looks ahead to the future of training, accreditation, and professional standards in sexology worldwide.
Date: November 20, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM SAST (Find your local time here)
Speakers: - Leiszle Lapping-Carr (USA) — Chair, WAS PES Committee
- Osmar Matsui (Mexico) — Co-Chair, WAS PES Committee
- Anthony Smith (South Africa) — Co-Chair, WAS PES Committee
- Elsa Almås (Norway) — Past Chair, WAS PES Committee
Together, they'll share progress from 2021–2025 and outline the next phase (2025–2029) of the Committee's global strategy — strengthening professional education, advancing ethical standards, and supporting capacity building in clinical sexology across regions.
| | Member Spotlight:
SASHA Sexual Attitude Reassessment (SAR) | | | | 15–16 November 2025 | Online | Limited spots
As a proud WAS Member Organization, the Southern African Sexual Health Association (SASHA) invites healthcare and education professionals to participate in the next Sexual Attitude Reassessment (SAR) — a cornerstone of reflective practice in sexual health.
A SAR isn't about your patient, client, or student — it's about you as a provider.
It's a unique opportunity for healthcare and education professionals — from students to seasoned experts — to explore their own values and responses to diverse aspects of sexuality, and to strengthen an inclusive, ethically grounded approach to care. | | | 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. | | | Also on the Blog: WAS at FIGO 2025 | | | | L–R : WAS Executive Director René de Klerk, WAS President Faysal El Kak, Immediate Past President Elna Rudolph, and WAS Membership Relations Officer Elzette le Roux. | | | WAS was proud to join thousands of delegates at the FIGO World Congress of Gynecology and Obstetrics in Cape Town last month.
Led by President Faysal El Kak, Immediate Past President Elna Rudolph, and Executive Director René de Klerk, the WAS team engaged in sessions highlighting sexual health in vulnerable populations and transgender-inclusive care.
While we've shared the story before, you can now view the full blog post celebrating this important milestone for WAS.
| | | Awareness Days This Month | | | | This November, WAS recognizes several key observances that highlight our shared commitment to sexual health, inclusion, and justice — across genders, identities, and experiences.
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting men worldwide — and its impact extends beyond physical health. At WAS, we affirm that sexual wellbeing is an essential part of survivorship. Supporting men through early detection, open dialogue, and integrated care is key to promoting health, dignity, and quality of life after treatment.
November 8: Intersex Day of Remembrance
A day to honor intersex people whose lives have been lost to discrimination, medical violence, and stigma — and to reaffirm the right to bodily autonomy, visibility, and inclusion in all health and rights frameworks.
November 13–19: Transgender Awareness Week
A dedicated week to increase understanding about transgender and gender-diverse people and the issues they face, and to celebrate their lives, resilience, and contributions.
November 19: International Men's Day
Observed worldwide, International Men's Day celebrates the positive value men bring to their families, communities, and the world. The 2025 theme, "Celebrating Men and Boys," invites reflection on healthy masculinities, positive role models, and the importance of wellbeing — emotional, relational, and sexual — for all.
November 20: Transgender Day of Remembrance
We stand in solidarity with transgender and gender-diverse communities worldwide, honoring those whose lives have been lost to transphobic violence and discrimination. WAS remains committed to advancing rights-based, affirming care for all gender identities.
November 25: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
Start of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence | #NoExcuse | #UNiTE
Every 10 minutes, a woman or girl is killed by a partner or family member. Nearly one in three women experience violence in their lifetime. There is — and can be — #NoExcuse for gender-based violence. WAS stands with UN Women and global partners in affirming that sexual health and rights cannot exist where violence persists.
Follow WAS on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram throughout November for posts and reflections from our global community working toward equality, dignity, and sexual justice for all.
As we celebrate these powerful moments for global collaboration, we extend our gratitude to all who continue to bring the principles of the Porto Proclamation on Sexual Health, Rights, and Justice to life every day.
In 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. | | | |  | |
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