Dr Razan Khogali Othman is a recent medical school graduate from the National Ribat University in Sudan. Throughout her time in university, she focused on the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and worked with global feminist organisations to address issues such as gender based violence and maternal health. She shares her experiences volunteering at Wad Madani Hospital for Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the context of the war that started in April 2023, highlighting the health needs of women and pressures faced by health care workers in this crisis. 

Increasing access to safe abortion reduces maternal mortality and disability. However, currently, 45% of all abortions globally are unsafe and are a catastrophic public health problem, accounting for up to 13% of preventable maternal deaths worldwide and causing hundreds of thousands of survivors to live with preventable long-term complications.

Dr Anne Beatrice Kihara is FIGO’s current President-Elect, set to become the first African woman to be FIGO President from October 2023. Since 2021, Dr Kihara has been the President of the African Federation of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.  

What have been the key achievements of the Maputo Protocol? 

While abortion remains a stigmatised health care matter, progress has definitely been made with the adoption of the Maputo Protocol on several issues related to gender equality and gender rights.  

Dr Darolles Mwadjie Wekam is an obstetrician-gynaecologist (OBGYN) with a passion for preventive medicine, communication and teaching, and a particular interest in infertility and breast cancer in Africa. She is Head of the Gynaecology-Obstetrics Department at the Gynaecology-Obstetrics and Paediatrics Hospital in Douala, Cameroon. For a number of years now, she has advocated for the wellbeing and rights of girls and women through the Advocacy for Comprehensive Abortion Care within the Société Gynécologues-Obstétriciens du Cameroun (SOGOC).

Dr Carolyne Atieno Odula is a Reproductive Health Specialist with over 20 years’ experience in her field. She is a Senior Medical Specialist based at the University of Nairobi Health Services, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department. She is also a member of The East, Central and Southern Africa College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (ECSACOG) – FIGO Community of Practice. 

Dr Simon Peter Kayondo is an obstetrician-gynaecologist and Project Coordinator at the Association of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Uganda (AOGU). Within AOGU, he works on FIGO’s Advocating for Safe Abortion Project, and he is also a member of the East, Central and Southern Africa College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (ECSACOG) – FIGO Community of Practice. 

Cynthia Kpalete is a doctor in her final year of training and a sexual and reproductive health rights activist. She is pro-choice, passionate about youth organisations and a committed safe abortion advocate. She is a member of the network of young health professionals for safe abortion and the community of practice of the African Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (SAGO). 

On the first day of the International Maternal Newborn Health Conference (IMNHC) in Cape Town, South Africa, FIGO joined partners hosted by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nation's Children's Fund (UNICEF) to call upon UN Member States to accelerate action and investment in quality midwifery care. 

We are pleased to announce the incoming committee vice chairs. They will serve as vice chairs for the remainder of the 2021–2023 term before assuming their role as chairs in October 2023.

Selected by the current chairs, President Dr Jeanne Conry, and President Elect, Dr Anne-Beatrice Kihara, based on their incredible achievements and engagement within FIGO, they will continue to shape the work carried out by committees, and advance FIGO’s mission in line with the decade-long 2021-2030 Strategic Plan.