Dr. Faysal El-Kak has been elected the President of the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) for the 2025-2029 term. The announcement took place at the 27th World Congress of WAS, held June 16-19 in Brisbane, Australia. This marks the first time a scholar from outside the Americas, Europe, and South Africa elected to this role, marking a historic milestone for his unparalleled leadership and longstanding contributions to the field of sexual reproductive health.
WAS is a global confederation of sexual health professionals, educators, and activists that promotes sexual health and rights across the lifespan. Through regional federations and partnerships with organizations like WHO, UNFPA, IPPF, the Gates Foundation, and UNESCO, WAS advances science-based knowledge, research, education, and care to ensure universal access to sexual health services, rights, justice, and pleasure.
Dr. El-Kak, MD, MS, ARCOG, is a Senior Lecturer in Health Behavior and Sexuality at the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS), American University of Beirut (AUB), and Clinical Associate of Obstetrics and Gynecology-Sexual Health at the AUB Medical Center. He directs the Women Integrated Sexual Health (WISH) Program in the Department of OBGYN.
A prominent global voice in sexual and reproductive health, Dr. El-Kak chairs the Arab Woman Health Group under the Federation of Arab Gynecology Obstetrics Societies (FAGOS), is a member of WHO Strategic Technical Advisory Group (STAGE), and serves on the Board of Directors of the Guttmacher Institute. He is also the Immediate Past Vice President of FIGO and contributes to several editorial boards.
His work spans teaching public health with a focus on health communication, the biopsychosocial approach to sexuality, and clinical care, including menopause, sexual dysfunction, and reproductive health across the life course. A vocal advocate for women’s rights and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), Dr. El-Kak is frequently featured in media across the Arab region.
The election of Dr. El-Kak is a testament to his international standing and reinforces the global presence of the FHS-AUB. His new role at WAS, an influential confederation working with WHO, UNFPA, IPPF, the Gates Foundation, and UNESCO, will further advance global advocacy for sexual health, rights, justice, and access to care. His leadership promises to enrich international dialogues and initiatives in sexual and reproductive health worldwide.