The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) is excited to have launched a global survey on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

The survey aims to assess perceptions, knowledge and unmet needs of our colleagues in all member societies across broad themes of SRHR concepts, services and care. This includes continuous education and training, gaps in essential SRHR services, availability and use of new technologies, emerging issues in care provision, and the needs of special populations.

As the invasion of Ukraine continues, an entire nation is in the midst of disruption to their lives and livelihoods, with hospitals unable to perform the daily tasks of treating patients and saving lives. Health care professionals cannot provide the care expected of them because they are unable to travel, their families are threatened, or hospitals are under siege or destroyed.

Urogynaecological or pelvic floor disorders (PFD) predominantly affect women following childbirth and the menopause. They are a wide range of conditions spanning the life spectrum. Notable among these are pelvic organ prolapse, urinary and faecal incontinence, pelvic trauma, sexual dysfunction and some malformations.   

The normalisation of menstrual disorders 

The FIGO Committee on Menstrual Disorders and Related Health Impacts focuses on the set of symptoms described as non-gestational abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), including heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB).  

Dr Hilary Critchley, Chair of the Committee on Menstrual Disorders and Related Health Impacts, highlights:  

To mark the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (25 November – 10 December), Dr Rubina Sohail, Chair of the FIGO Committee for Women Facing Crises, shares her insights on how OBGYNs can support and advocate for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV). Dr Sohail provides an overview of the prevalence of GBV both in and out of humanitarian settings, the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for women in her country of Pakistan, and practical advice on how OBGYNs can become advocates for survivors of violence.

In October 2021, the International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics (IJGO) published a highly exciting and urgent special issue, titled: A Call for Action in Indigenous and First Nations Women’s Health and Wellbeing.

The recent overwhelming political power shift in Afghanistan has raised international concern for the health and wellbeing of women and girls. The fear of eroding the already fragile status of women’s health and rights in the country is mounting amid media reports of women having their movement and access to health care restricted.

Ahead of World Population Day 2021, FIGO HQ spoke with Jill Sheffield, Chair of FIGO’s Committee on Contraception and Family Planning, about the implications of the pandemic for the fulfilment of women and girls’ sexual and reproductive health and rights. We also discussed the need for interventions to ensure the continuation of family planning services during and after the pandemic.

IJGO’s journal impact factor improved from 2.216 to 3.561 in 2020 – our highest-ever impact factor. This increase has seen the journal rise through the OBGYN journal rankings to 20th place among 83 indexed journals.