FIGO Awards Celebrate Global Trailblazers Advancing Women’s Health, Equality, and Reproductive Rights

FIGO Awards Celebrate Global Trailblazers Advancing Women’s Health, Equality, and Reproductive Rights

(IN BRIEF) At the XXIII FIGO World Congress of Gynecology and Obstetrics in Cape Town, six outstanding figures were honoured for their global impact on women’s health and rights. The FIGO Distinguished Merit Award was presented to Ethiopia’s Health Minister Dr Mekdes Daba Feyssa, Professor Christine Solbach of Goethe University Frankfurt, and Professor Tadashi Kimura of Osaka University for their exceptional contributions to women’s healthcare and medical advancement. The FIGO Distinguished Recognition Award in Women’s Health honoured Rwanda’s First Lady Jeannette Kagame, South Africa’s Professor Linda-Gail Bekker, and Afghanistan’s Dr Sima Samar for their extraordinary leadership in women’s empowerment, public health, and human rights. Together, these honourees represent a shared global commitment to advancing equity, access, and excellence in women’s health.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 6-Oct-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — At the XXIII FIGO World Congress of Gynecology and Obstetrics in Cape Town, six global leaders in medicine and advocacy were honoured for their remarkable contributions to advancing women’s health, rights, and wellbeing worldwide. The awards, presented during the Welcome Ceremony, highlight the dedication of professionals who have significantly shaped the field of obstetrics, gynaecology, and women’s health through lifelong service and groundbreaking initiatives.

The FIGO Distinguished Merit Award, given to gynaecologists and obstetricians who have made exceptional contributions to FIGO’s mission of improving the lives of women, girls, and newborns globally, was presented to three distinguished figures:

H.E. Dr Mekdes Daba Feyssa, Minister of Health of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, was recognised for her pioneering leadership in maternal and reproductive health. As Ethiopia’s first family planning sub-specialist, Dr Daba has been instrumental in shaping national health policies and promoting access to reproductive services.

Prof Christine Solbach, Deputy Director of the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics and Chief of the Breast Center at Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany, was celebrated for her extensive work in gynaecologic oncology and breast surgery, as well as her leadership roles within the German Society for Gynecology and Obstetrics (DGGG) and FIGO’s Committee on Breast Health.

Prof Tadashi Kimura, Professor Emeritus of Osaka University, Japan, was honoured for his decades of service in research and clinical practice. With over 650 scientific publications and leadership positions in both the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology and FIGO, Prof Kimura has made a lasting impact on medical education and women’s health research worldwide.

The FIGO Distinguished Recognition Award in Women’s Health, which acknowledges exceptional individuals outside the OBGYN profession who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to improving women’s health, was presented to three distinguished honourees:

H.E. Madame Jeannette Kagame, First Lady of Rwanda, was commended for her transformative leadership in women’s health advocacy across Africa. As a founding member and former President of the Organisation of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA), she has led impactful campaigns for HIV prevention and HPV vaccination, empowering women and girls through improved healthcare access and education.

Prof Linda-Gail Bekker, Chief Executive Officer of the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation and Director of the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre at the University of Cape Town, was recognised for her pioneering work in HIV and infectious disease research. Her lifelong dedication to advancing prevention, treatment, and care for women and youth affected by HIV has established her as a leading voice in global health. “My passion is to see women thrive while living with HIV and to ensure that infection among young women and transmission to children are eliminated,” said Prof Bekker in her acceptance remarks.

Dr Sima Samar, Nobel Peace Prize nominee and globally renowned human rights advocate from Afghanistan, was honoured for her lifelong dedication to humanitarian work and women’s empowerment. As former Vice President of Afghanistan and the country’s first Minister of Women’s Affairs, Dr Samar has spent decades championing equality, education, and healthcare access for women, both nationally and internationally.

Through these recognitions, FIGO celebrates individuals whose leadership and advocacy have reshaped healthcare systems, improved access to essential services, and advanced gender equality in medicine and beyond.

Media Contact:

Reyes Castellano
Senior Communications and Engagement Manager
reyes@figo.org

SOURCE: FIGO