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July 2005 World Association for Sexology Press Release
(08/22/2005) by Unknown
World Association for Sexology Press Release
For Immediate Release Contact: Laurie Betito at 514-871-5822
July 15, 2005 or Adrienne Verrilli at 646-334-3735
World Association for Sexual Health Releases
Montreal Declaration “Sexual Health for the Millennium”
Montreal, Canada – Today, the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS), previously known as the World Association of Sexology, is pleased to announce the release of the Montreal Declaration “Sexual Health for the
Millennium,”(the Declaration). The goal of the Declaration is to encourage governments, international agencies,
the private sector, and academic institutions to prioritize and integrate sexual health into any and all sustainable
development goals, international agreements, and to be fully integrated into the work aimed at achieving the
landmark Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations. The Declaration was developed by participants in
collaboration with WAS at the 17th World Congress of Sexology, Montreal 2005.
“The global community has made such great strides in promoting sexual health, we are so pleased to be able to
contribute to that progress,” said Dr. Pierre Assalian, president of the XV II World Congress of Sexology. “My
hope it that organizations around the world, particularly those that have the political and moral power to affect
positive change, will incorporate our recommendations into all international agreements and standards,” Assalian
continued.
The following is an excerpt from the Declaration:
The promotion of sexual health is central to the attainment of wellness and well-being and to the
achievement of sustainable development and more specifically to the implementation of the Millennium
Development Goals. Individuals and communities who experience well-being are better positioned to
contribute to the eradication of individual and societal poverty……
Therefore, we urge all governments, international agencies, private sector, academic institutions and
society at large, and particularly, all member organizations of the World Association for Sexual Health to:
1. Recognize, promote, ensure, and protect sexual rights for all
2. Advance toward gender equity
3. Eliminate all forms of sexual violence and abuse
4. Provide universal access to comprehensive sexuality information and education
5. Ensure that reproductive health programs recognize the centrality of sexual health
6. Halt and reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
7. Identify, address, and treat sexual concerns, dysfunctions, and disorders
8. Achieve recognition of sexual pleasure as a component of well-being
“The Declaration and its recommendations prioritizing sexual health will have a significant positive impact on
sustainable health and development goals and interventions, as well in international agreements, including the
Millennium Declaration,” said Dr. Eusebio Rubio-Aurioles, the newly-elected president of the World Association
for Sexual Health,: “Protecting and promoting sexual health worldwide will not only ensure the realization of
individual and societal well-being, but also moves us forward in securing sexual rights,” Rubio-Aurioles continued.
World Association for Sexual Health
Montreal Declaration
“Sexual Health for the Millennium”
17th World Congress of Sexology, Montreal 2005
We, the participants of the 17th World Congress of Sexology, assert our commitment to the Mission of the
World Association for Sexual Health (WAS), to promote sexual health throughout the lifespan. We also
reaffirm the 1999 WAS Declaration on Sexual Rights; the recommendations from the Pan-American
Health Organization/WAS 2000 report “Promotion of Sexual Health: Recommendations for Action;” and
the 2002 World Health Organization’s Working Definitions of Sexual Health and Sexual Rights.
Considering the urgent need for collective action to attain sustainable health and development goals and
milestones stated in international agreements, including the Millennium Declaration,
we declare that:
The promotion of sexual health is central to the attainment of wellness and well-being and to the
achievement of sustainable development and more specifically to the implementation of the Millennium
Development Goals. Individuals and communities who experience well-being are better positioned to
contribute to the eradication of individual and societal poverty. By nurturing individual and social
responsibility and equitable social interactions, promotion of sexual health fosters quality of life and the
realization of peace. Therefore, we urge all governments, international agencies, private sector, academic
institutions and society at large, and particularly, all member organizations of the World Association for
Sexual Health to:
1. Recognize, promote, ensure, and protect sexual rights for all
Sexual rights are an integral component of basic human rights and therefore, are inalienable and universal.
Sexual health cannot be obtained or maintained without sexual rights for all.
2. Advance toward gender equity
Sexual health requires gender equity and respect. Gender-related inequities and imbalances of power deter
constructive and harmonic human interactions and therefore the attainment of sexual health.
3. Eliminate all forms of sexual violence and abuse
Sexual health cannot be attained until people are free of stigma, discrimination, sexual abuse, coercion
and violence.
4. Provide universal access to comprehensive sexuality information and education To achieve sexual
health, all individuals, including youth, must have access to comprehensive sexuality education, and
sexual health information and services throughout the life cycle.
5. Ensure that reproductive health programs recognize the centrality of sexual health
Reproduction is one of the critical dimensions of human sexuality and may contribute to strengthening
relationships and personal fulfillment when desired and planned. Sexual health is a more encompassing
concept than reproductive health. Current reproductive health programs must be broadened to address the
various dimensions of sexuality and sexual health in a comprehensive manner.
6. Halt and reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Universal access to prevention, voluntary counseling and testing, comprehensive care and treatment of
HIV/AIDS and other STIs are equally essential to sexual health. Programs that assure universal access
must be scaled up immediately.
7. Identify, address, and treat sexual concerns, dysfunctions, and disorders
Since sexual fulfillment has the capacity of enhancing quality of life, it is critical to recognize, prevent,
and treat sexual concerns, dysfunctions, and disorders
8. Achieve recognition of sexual pleasure as a component of well-being
Sexual health is more than the absence of disease. Sexual pleasure and satisfaction are integral
components of well-being and requires universal recognition and promotion.
It is essential that international, regional, national, and local plans of action for sustainable development
prioritize sexual health interventions, allocate sufficient resources, address systemic, structural and
community barriers and monitor progress. This article appears in the following topics:
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