October 2024

Dear Ms Balasubramaniam

Welcome to the October edition of your members newsletter.

This time last year, we had just returned from our World Congress in Paris - an extraordinary event that brought us closer to our members and partners. One year on, preparations for the FIGO Cape Town 2025 are in full swing and we are confident it will be another great success. Submissions are now open, and we encourage our member societies to submit your abstract papers and proposals by 1 November and help shape our scientific programme.

FIGO Cape Town 2025 will have a strong focus on collaboration and convening. At FIGO, we know that close collaboration with members and partners is crucial to achieve long lasing improvements to women's health and rights worldwide. This month, we are excited to announce the launch of new partnerships with some of the most significant actors in women’s health globally, as we grow our programmes portfolio. We look forward to continuing to work together to achieve our shared vision.

Please read more about our latest news and developments below and share these opportunities and resources widely with your members and colleagues.

Frances Longley
FIGO CEO

New division directors elect and committee vice chairs appointed

FIGO is pleased to announce the volunteers who have been appointed as division directors elect and committee vice chairs. They have been chosen for their roles based on their incredible achievements and historic engagement with FIGO and will continue to shape the work of our divisions and committees into the 2025-2027 term, when they will become division directors and chairs.

FIGO webinars for November open for registration

We are pleased to share the launch of our 2024 -2025 webinar series, which brings together women's health experts across a range of pressing topics. The first two webinars in the series will run in October and will cover the elimination of cervical cancer and advances in reproductive medicine. Webinars will be available on-demand and offer a certificate of completion.

New USAID award to expand reproductive health equity globally

FIGO is delighted to share that EngenderHealth-led consortium FIGO is part of has recently been awarded an $89 million USAID grant promote access to family planning and reproductive healthcare in selected low and middle-income countries. This partnership continues FIGO's ongoing commitment to grow our programmes portfolio to help protect and progress women's health and rights wherever they live.

New IJGO editorial 'Beyond borders: The global impact of violating reproductive human rights' The IJGO has published an editorial co-authored by the FIGO Division of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Wellbeing and Committee on Contraception. The editorial demonstrates how restrictions on abortion, contraception and fertility services are undermining fundamental human rights worldwide.

FIGO joins The Global HPV Consortium FIGO is happy to officially join the Global HPV Consortium housed at the Sabin Vaccine Institute. The Consortium is a collaboration of private and public sector organisations dedicated to the elimination of cervical cancer through prevention, screening and treatment. Together we will build on efforts to eradicate cervical cancer globally.

An interview with Professor John Sciarra, former FIGO President Professor John J. Sciarra, FIGO President 1991-1994 and IJGO Editor 1985-2006, shares his memories of FIGO's rapid development during his tenure. This interview marks the occasion of FIGO's 70th anniversary and looks towards FIGO's future and opportunities for further development.