Welcome to FIGO

FIGO - the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics - is the only organisation that brings together professional societies of obstetricians and gynecologists on a global basis. Currently it has member societies in 124 countries or territories.

FIGO has a vision that women of the world achieve the highest possible standards of physical, mental, reproductive and sexual health and wellbeing throughout their lives.

Read our full Vision and Mission Statement

Women's Health News

New scheme hopes to tackle problem of maternal mortality in Zamfara

Monday, 8th March 2010

The government in Zamfara, Nigeria, has enrolled 96 midwives under the National Midwives Scheme to help fight the problem of maternal mortality in rural areas.

According to the state health commissioner Saad Danisa, six local government areas including Kaura Namoda and Bungudu will benefit from the pilot scheme.

Brain flushing could prove a lifesaver for premature babies

Monday, 8th March 2010

A medical technique that flushes out the brain to remove the toxic products of a deadly haemorrhage could be used to save the lives of premature babies.

This method was used to save Isaac Walker-Cox's life, who was born 12 weeks premature and given hours to live following a burst blood vessel in his brain, the Times reported.

Early water break risk may be reduced by delaying pregnancy

Friday, 5th March 2010

Mothers whose water has broken prematurely have been advised that waiting at least 18 months before having their next child could reduce the risk of it happening again, according to new research.

FIGO News

FIGO Supports Mothers And Newborns Of Haiti Donation Campaign

Wednesday, 3rd March 2010

FIGO, in collaboration with The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC), is encouraging its affiliates to provide financial support for relief efforts for mothers and newborns in the Haiti capital of Port-au-Prince.

'Good Health=Productive Lives' - FIGO Supports Women Of The World On International Women's Day 2010

Wednesday, 3rd March 2010

What is International Women’s Day?

International Women’s Day (IWD) - a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future - is celebrated on 8 March 2010. Each year, on this date, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate achievements.

Women's Dignity Project in Tanzania

Wednesday, 17th February 2010

Women’s Dignity seeks to enable all Tanzanians - particularly marginalized girls and women – to realize their basic right to health. The organisation focuses in particular on improving maternal health so women no longer fear death in childbirth, or consequences such as obstetric fistula.

FIGO 'Congress Special' Newsletter - Now Available To Download

Monday, 8th February 2010

The latest edition of the FIGO Newsletter is now available on www.figo.org - please click here for the special Congress issue, which includes extracts from keynote Congress speeches, and an update on FIGO's work in the field.

Physicians Call For Elimination Of Female Genital Mutilation

Friday, 5th February 2010

A call to eliminate female genital mutilation as a gross form of violence against women has come from the World Medical Association (WMA) and the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO).

Female Genital Mutilation: A Blight On The World’s Women, Says FIGO

Wednesday, 3rd February 2010

‘Death, severe pain, hemorrhage, tetanus, sepsis, recurrent urinary tract infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, increased complications of subsequent pregnancy and childbirth, and adverse psychological and sexual effects - these are just a few examples of the extreme consequences of Female Genital Mutilation,’ said Hamid Rushwan, Chief Executive of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) - the body bringing together 124 obstetrical and gynecological associations worldwide - commenting on the International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation (6 February 2010).

Prevention and Treatment of Fistula

The film Fistula Pilgrims tells the harrowing story of a young girl in Ethiopia who was married at 10, pregnant at 11 and gave birth to a stillborn child at 12.