December 2024

Dear Ms Balasubramaniam

Welcome to the December edition of your members newsletter.

As my first full year as FIGO's Chief Executive draws to a close, I would like to thank our members, volunteers and colleagues for their commitment to FIGO and our collective mission to advance women’s health and rights.

This time last year FIGO's Board of Trustees approved an ambitious programme of review and improvement across every aspect of FIGO's work. This year, FIGO staff have worked with our members, volunteers and partners to learn more about how we deliver our work together now, and how we can build on the best elements of that work to improve for the future. Member societies have been at the heart of this work, providing insight and inspiration across all that we have done this year. I want to thank you all for your commitment and participation as we continue to improve services and benefits and build an even stronger voice for women's health and rights around the world.

Preparations are well under way for 2025 - including FIGO Cape Town 2025 and our General Assembly in October. I encourage all member societies to consider how their leaders and members can continue to contribute to FIGO’s incredible network of volunteers, offering their expertise and perspectives in a variety of roles. Every voice and every member society is important to FIGO - please ensure your society is represented as we open opportunities to join our Divisions and Committees, FIGO Council and FIGO Board of Trustees in early 2025. We will be communicating all opportunities directly with our members - please make sure we have up to date details so that our communications reach their intended audience.

For many of us around the world, December brings a seasonal break to spend time with those who are important to us. However you are spending this time, I wish you a peaceful and healthy season, and look forward to working with many of you in the coming months.

Frances Longley
FIGO CEO

FIGO Knowledge Hub launch: on demand content now available

We are pleased to launch the FIGO Knowledge Hub, a new and innovative online education platform to support in knowledge sharing and capacity building. Explore our selection of on-demand webinars, now accessible as short user-friendly courses that provide the opportunity to earn a certificate of completion

Key principles to safeguard abortion providers To mark International Women Human Rights Defenders Day on 29 November, FIGO joined with international partners to support the launch of guidance to protect frontline abortion rights defenders, including healthcare professionals.

FIGO Webinar: Tackling pre-term birth with the FIGO PremPrep-5 initiative On 9 January, the FIGO Committee on Preterm Birth will lead the next instalment of FIGO’s webinar series. The webinar will focus on the PremPrep-5 Initiative, a series of simple and effective interventions to improve neonatal outcomes.

IJGO Special Article: good practice protocol for post-vesicovaginal fistula surgery outcomes

FIGO presents a comprehensive protocol for postoperative care to standardise the assessment of surgical outcomes following vesicovaginal fistula repair. This protocol offers clear, evidence-based guidelines based on the insights of leading surgeons participating in the FIGO Fistula Surgery Training Initiative.

FIGO at 70: delivering impact in low-resource settings As FIGO reaches the end of our 70th anniversary year, we reflect on the positive impact of FIGO projects in low- and middle-income countries to reduce global disparities in healthcare and equip healthcare professionals.

FIGO HQ office closure Please note that the FIGO HQ office will close at 17:00 UTC on Friday 20 December 2024 and reopen on the 2 January 2025. If you would like to contact FIGO during this time, please email membership@figo.org, and we will respond as soon as possible upon our return to work.