International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

A call for the European Union to honour its commitment to fundamental human rights for women and to halt, in the European countries where it exists, the criminalisation of midwifery

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 each year. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) reaffirms its support for its valuable objectives.

The International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is held each 6 February to encourage global awareness of FGM (also called ‘cutting’) and to promote its eradication. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) views FGM of any type as a violation of the human rights of girls and women, and works actively with other global organisations to help to eliminate it.

‘WELCOME TO THE WORLD is a groundbreaking global documentary project exploring childbirth and infant mortality around the world. Telling the personal stories of women giving birth in the UK, USA, Sierra Leone and Cambodia, the film celebrates the most universal human experience while asking important questions about the lottery of birth and the fact that a child's chances in life are determined by where in the world they are born.

On 1 December 2011, FIGO reaffirmed its commitment to highlighting World AIDS Day.

On 25 November 2011, FIGO reaffirmed its commitment to the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. 

Responding to the news that African Speakers of Parliaments and Presidents of Senate have unanimously adopted a landmark resolution on a Declaration of Commitment to prioritise parliamentary support for increased policy and budget action on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health in African countries (25 October 2011), FIGO President Professor Gamal Serour said: ‘The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics -  the only organisation bringing together professional societies of obstetricians and gynecologists on a global basis - currently has member societies in 124 countries or territories, including 30 in Africa.

Dr Anibal Faúndes - Professor of Obstetrics at the State University of Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Chair of the FIGO Working Group for the Prevention of Unsafe Abortion - has been awarded the 2011 Allan Rosenfield Award for Lifetime Contributions to International Family Planning at the North American Forum on Family Planning (held from 22-24 October 2011 in Washington, DC).

On 24 October 2011, the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to the highest attainable standard of health, Anand Grover, presented a report to the UN General Assembly on the impact of criminalisation and other legal restrictions on the right to sexual and reproductive health. 

The issues covered in the report include:  abortion; women’s conduct during pregnancy, such as drug use; restrictions on education and information on sexuality and reproduction such as compelled speech or censorship of information; and contraception and family planning.

Ethiopia has one of the highest maternal mortality ratios in the world: please click here for more information (SOURCE: RCOG)