Congresses of the World Association for Sexual Health
Date
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2023
2021
2019
2017
2015
2013
2011
2009
2007
2005
2003
2001
1999
1997
1995
1993
1991
1989
1987
1985
1983
1981
1979
1978
1976
1974
City
​
Antalya
Cape Town
Mexico City
Prague
Singapore
Porto Alegre
Glasgow
Gothenburg
Sydney
Montreal
Havana
Paris
Hong Kong
Valencia
Yokohama
Rio de Janeiro
Amsterdam
Caracas
Heidelberg
New Delhi
Washington
Jerusalem
Mexico City
Rome
Montreal
Paris
Country
​
Turkey
South Africa
Mexico
Czech Republic
Singapore
Brazil
United Kingdom
Sweden
Australia
Canada
Cuba
France
China, Hong Kong, SAR
Spain
Japan
Brazil
Netherlands
Venezuela
Germany
India
United States
Israel
Mexico
Italy
Canada
France
History
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The World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) was founded in 1978 by a multidisciplinary, worldwide group of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with the aim of promoting sexual health and sexual rights throughout the world. The association was formerly named the World Association for Sexology.
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Since its founding, WAS has achieved its goals by advancing and exchanging scientifically-based multidisciplinary research in sexuality, sexuality education, health promotion, and behavioral and clinical sexology. A significant milestone was the drafting of the WAS Declaration of Sexual Rights during the congress in Valencia, Spain, in 1997, which was adopted by the WAS Assembly in Hong Kong in 1999.
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More recently, the WAS constituency has become involved in advocating for changes in public policy to recognize sexual health and rights as key ingredients in overall health and social justice. Financial support from individuals, foundations, corporations, and governments has sustained this work in projects around the world.