International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

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.

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 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.

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.

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).

‘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).

The FIGO leadership expresses its deep condolences to the people of Haiti for the huge loss of life resulting from the most devastating and challenging disaster in recent history.

The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) - the only organisation that brings together professional societies of obstetricians and gynecologists on a global basis - would like to express its heartfelt support to the people of Haiti. 

As the Maternal Health Task Force enters its second year, it is increasingly focusing its program support on indigenous developing country initiatives.

Through a generous grant from the Fred H. Bixby Foundation, the Population Council has created the Bixby Fellowship Program to expand opportunities for recently trained social scientists and biomedical researchers in the health and population fields.