Videos by Mahmoud F Fathalla
This video message was recorded in London in 2012, for the International Federation of Gynecology... more This video message was recorded in London in 2012, for the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, on the occasion of 25 years of the International Safe Motherhood Initiative. As our generation is handing the torch to a new generation, the video looks back at lessons learned from the past and looks forward to moving to a brighter future for the safe motherhood movement. 4 views
This video is a non-edited interview recorded in 2002 for the international program “EngenderHeal... more This video is a non-edited interview recorded in 2002 for the international program “EngenderHealth”, based in New York, when I joined the Board of Directors, highlighting the vision, the road ahead and the need for international solidarity to support the noble mission and movement for women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights. 9 views
This video is a speech at the World Bank, Washington DC, on World Health Day Forum on Safe Mother... more This video is a speech at the World Bank, Washington DC, on World Health Day Forum on Safe Motherhood in 1995. Participants were high level representatives of international agencies and national governments, The video provides an introduction and outlines three challenges facing the safe motherhood movement and how they can be addressed. 17 views
This video is a presentation by Mahmoud F. Fathalla, Scientist WHO and Professor of Obstetrics. D... more This video is a presentation by Mahmoud F. Fathalla, Scientist WHO and Professor of Obstetrics. Dr Fathalla tells the story of “Mrs X” and explains the concept of the road to maternal death. This story of one anonymous woman illustrates the key causes of maternal mortality, as well as the remedies to this tragic and preventable situation. This video presentation is intended for teaching and training purposes as well as to raise awareness regarding the major problem of needless maternal deaths. 52 views
This video is a speech at the closing ceremony of the Global Maternal Health Conference, Arusha,... more This video is a speech at the closing ceremony of the Global Maternal Health Conference, Arusha, Tanzania, January 2013. It sends a message from the heart to a mother of our mothers, and through her to all mothers past and present. The message is in three parts: First, we thank and we appreciate how mothers, throughout history risked their heath and lives to give us new life; second, we regret and we apologize that mothers are still dying today although we have the means and technologies to save their lives; and third, we promise and yes we can commit to make motherhood safer for all women.. 10 views
This video is a presentation by Mahmoud F. Fathalla, Scientist WHO and Professor of Obstetrics. D... more This video is a presentation by Mahmoud F. Fathalla, Scientist WHO and Professor of Obstetrics. Dr Fathalla tells the story of “Mrs X” and explains the concept of the road to maternal death. This story of one anonymous woman illustrates the key causes of maternal mortality, as well as the remedies to this tragic and preventable situation. This video presentation is intended for teaching and training purposes as well as to raise awareness regarding the major problem of needless maternal deaths. 18 views
Papers by Mahmoud F Fathalla
Reproductive Health and Human Rights, 2003
Human Rights Principles
Reproductive Health and Human Rights, 2003
Global Public Health, 2015
This Global Public Health Special Issue 'SRHR for the next decades: What's been achieved? What li... more This Global Public Health Special Issue 'SRHR for the next decades: What's been achieved? What lies ahead?' assesses progress 20 years after the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), which established the sexual and reproductive health and rights framework for population and health policy (United Nations [UN], 1995). Contributors from different regions demonstrate that the challenges recognised by the ICPD still stand, and that lessons learned provide a clear way forward for the world's governments as they convene at the United Nations (UN) to agree on priority actions, and a post-2015 global development agenda. Fulfilment of sexual and reproductive health and rights enables people to have a satisfying and safe sex life, to reproduce if and when they desire and to have access to the health services and information necessary to make informed decisions, free of discrimination, coercion and violence (UN, 1995). According to a recent UN Global Review Report, progress has been made in the implementation of the ICPD agenda, but we still fall short of the ICPD goal of sexual and reproductive health for all (United Nations, 2014). International and national commitments have not been matched with action to improve the lives of people, particularly women, across our one world. One of the starkest examples is the persistent pandemic of violence against women. Global and national indicators of progress are welcome, but mask harsh inequity, between and within countries (Barros et al., 2012). The better-off drive progress indicators upwards, while the marginalised and the underprivileged are left behind. The penalties for these shortfalls are heavy in terms of avoidable human suffering and lost opportunities for economic and human development. Health and rights in sexuality and reproduction are an integrated package (Fathalla, 2002), which, the ICPD agreed, includes sexual and reproductive health services (family planning, maternity care, safe abortion, prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections and HIV, among others); comprehensive sexuality education; and protection of sexual and reproductive rights. People cannot be healthy if they have one element of the package but miss others (Germain, Dixon-Mueller, & Sen, 2009). The papers in this Special Issue show that progress on the components of sexual and reproductive health and rights has been uneven. While acknowledging that certain components may be more difficult or more costly to implement, progress in many instances has been hindered on ideological, rather than scientific, public health and cost-effectiveness grounds. This Special Issue also considers the central role of addressing the underlying social and political determinants of sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as work
Handbook of Anger, Aggression, and Violence, 2022
Human males inherited an inherent violent behaviour from their ape ancestors probably founded in ... more Human males inherited an inherent violent behaviour from their ape ancestors probably founded in the patriarchal structure that humans shared with the great apes. Inheriting, however, does not imply its inevitability, because such a violent behaviour does not seem to be the product of the action of genes into behaviour and among great apes violent behaviour is not inevitable. Therefore, not only change is possible, it is urgently needed.
International organisations have provided detailed definitions of human violent behaviour and have estimated that, as of 2021, some 30% of all women aged 15 and older have been victims of some form of physical and/or sexual violence, mostly perpetrated by current or former intimate partners. This makes violence against women (VAW) the most pervasive, yet least recognized, human rights violation in the world.
VAW represents even today a multifaceted evil that takes a myriad of forms, all aimed at dominating women and girls; they include: The practice of female infanticide; sexual coercion and harassment; rape; feminicide and honour killing; trafficking of women and girls; female genital mutilations; war-linked abuses of women and girls.
Focus must be on prevention and management. Preventive measures should move in two directions: improving the ability of girls and women to self-defence and creating safe environments; putting to work educational programmes for male adolescents aimed at modifying stereotypes of manhood and traditional gender dominance roles.
Management of male aggression should include the development and enforcement of legislation and policies severely punishing aggressive behaviours, sexual or otherwise. Unfortunately, VAW is still not recognized as a specific crime in many countries; in addition, even when restrained, men often continue with their harassment which may lead to death. This requires additional measures.
Finally, since violent behaviour often carries serious health consequences, medical and paramedical personnel should be taught of ways to help needy women through three main avenues: advocacy, training, and the provision of dedicated services.
International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 2004
La publicacion de esta edicicjn de Las cleclaraciones y opiniones Qualitij/Calidad/Qnalite en esp... more La publicacion de esta edicicjn de Las cleclaraciones y opiniones Qualitij/Calidad/Qnalite en espanol lia expresadas en esta publicacion son la sido posible por el apoyo brindado por responsabilidad exclusiva del autory no la Fundacion Ford, the John D. and de ninguna organizaeion que provea Catherine T. Mac-Arthur Foundation y apoyo para QiKilitij/Calidad/Qualite. Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).
Publication of this edition of Qual-itylCalidadlQualiti is made possible by support provided by t... more Publication of this edition of Qual-itylCalidadlQualiti is made possible by support provided by the Ford Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Swedish International Development Authority (SIDA). Statements made and views expressed in this publication are solely the responsibility of the authors and not of any organization providing support for QualitylCalidacllQualite.
Reproductive Biology Insights, 2013
The evolution of the large and complex brain was a big advantage to early humans in their social ... more The evolution of the large and complex brain was a big advantage to early humans in their social interactions and encounters with unfamiliar habitats. But it was not without a high cost to women's sexual and reproductive health. The developing fetal brain needs and consumes a lot of energy. To meet this need, a more intensely invasive placenta evolved and with it, the risk of excessive bleeding when the placenta separates partially or completely from the uterine wall, a major cause of maternal death. Delivering the large fetal head is an obstetric dilemma, particularly with the relatively narrow and irregular bipedal pelvis. The additional long time needed for the postnatal growth of the brain dictated the necessity for continued paternal investment. To strengthen the pair bond, sex was completely dissociated from reproduction and ovulation was concealed. However women then became vulnerable to sexual violence, sexually transmitted infections, and unwanted pregnancy. Recently, the human brain has been repaying women in the currency of modern science, including making motherhood safer and developing women-controlled contraceptive technologies. Scientific challenges still stand. For example, the modern woman has to cope with the burden of a reproductive system evolved for a hunter gatherer. Women have already fulfilled the divine obligation to replenish the earth, and it is time for science to help women to finally emerge from behind the mother.
Summary of the International Guidelines on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights (1996)
Reproductive Health and Human Rights, 2003
Responding to a Request for Pregnancy Termination
Reproductive Health and Human Rights, 2003
From Obstetrics and Gynaecology to Women's Health- the Road Ahead
An expanded role for the obstetrician/gynaecologist in women's health care reproductive healt... more An expanded role for the obstetrician/gynaecologist in women's health care reproductive health care prevention and management of gynaecological diseases women's primary health care social action for women's health.
Circumcision, Female
Encyclopedia of Global Bioethics, 2016
FOR THE NEXT CENTURY The World Academy of Art and Science Mastroianni-Segal Award Lecture 15th World Congress on Fertility and Sterility
“And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth... more “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living Thing that moveth upon the earth."
Health and Being a Woman
Forty-third session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women
INTRODUCTORY COMMENT Sexual and reproductive health for all: The challenge still stands
Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), which established the sexual and reproductive he... more Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), which established the sexual and reproductive health and rights framework for population and health policy (United Nations [UN], 1995). Contributors from different regions demonstrate that the challenges recognised by the ICPD still stand, and that lessons learned provide a clear way forward for the world’s governments as they convene at the United Nations (UN) to agree on priority actions, and a post-2015 global development agenda. Fulfilment of sexual and reproductive health and rights enables people to have a satisfying and safe sex life, to reproduce if and when they desire and to have access to the health services and information necessary to make informed decisions, free of discrimination, coercion and violence (UN, 1995). According to a recent UN Global Review Report, progress has been made in the implementation of the ICPD agenda, but we still fall short of the ICPD goal of sexual and reproductive health for all (United Nation...
The Contraceptive Technology Revolution
The past few decades have witnessed major developments in contraceptive technology that can only ... more The past few decades have witnessed major developments in contraceptive technology that can only be described as a revolution. The past few decades have witnessed major developments in contraceptive technology that can only be described as a revolution. Before these developments, contraceptive choice was limited to either cautiously-related methods which lacked in effectiveness or permanent methods. Contraceptive choices have been broadened. Contraception was moved outside the bedroom by the development of methods such as the pill. People no longer had to make the choice between a method to be used at every coitus or a permanent method; long-acting reversible methods now offer protection ranging from one month to several years. Highly effective but reversible methods became an available option. Technical developments have allowed sterilization to be performed as an out-patient procedure and without the need for general anaesthesia. The fruits of the contraceptive technology revoluti...
Contraceptive research and development: the unfinished revolution
The contraceptive revolution has not yet achieved development of a woman-controlled contraceptive... more The contraceptive revolution has not yet achieved development of a woman-controlled contraceptive method that protects against unwanted pregnancies sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) HIV infection and AIDS. Men have had the power and means to regulate fertility very early in history. Withdrawal is mentioned in the book of Genesis. Men developed the condom for men. Traditional objections to contraceptives were objections against women using them. Male-dominated societies fear that if women gain control over their fertility they would have control over their sexuality. The 1st phase of the contraceptive revolution consisted of male contraception (i.e. withdrawal and condoms). The 2nd phase emerged in the past few decades and consisted of contraceptives that women could use without their partners cooperation. Contraception has recently left the genital area with the introduction of injectables and implants which are very effective reversible methods thereby expanding womens choice of...
Abortion and Public Health Ethics
There is an ethical imperative to take public health action to eliminate the global problem of un... more There is an ethical imperative to take public health action to eliminate the global problem of unsafe abortion. The moral obligation is dictated by the magnitude of the problem, the health inequities and social injustices that result from lack of access to safe abortion, the voices of women calling for action, and an international consensus recognizing unsafe abortion as a global health problem. The availability of public health interventions and the cost savings associated with fewer abortion complications reinforce the obligation to address unsafe abortion. Public health actions include reducing the need for abortion through family planning, providing safe abortion to the full extent of the law, managing abortion complications, and providing post-abortion care. These actions intersect with morality, religion, law, justice, and human rights. The public health community has a collective social and ethical responsibility to stand beside and behind women as they claim their human righ...
Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 2019
This Special Issue on "Abortion: global perspectives and country experiences" complements another... more This Special Issue on "Abortion: global perspectives and country experiences" complements another Special Issue on "Safe abortion care." It provides a clear message that the responsibility of obstetrician-gynecologists for women's health goes beyond delivering health care to individual patients. Our collective national and global responsibility is expressed in the vision statement of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics: "Our vision is that women of the world achieve the highest possible standard of physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health and wellbeing throughout their lives." We know more than others that women's health is often compromised not by lack of medical knowledge but by infringement on their human rights. We should not downgrade our profession to be just another technical medical specialty to deliver babies and fix pelvic organ disease. The Ob/Gyn profession cannot play the ostrich and bury its head in the sands of medical technology when thousands of young women in the prime of their lives unnecessarily risk their life and health undergoing a procedure that should be, owing to modern medicine, almost completely safe [1]. Abortion death and disability could be avoided, not as much by taking costly health action but by stopping taking actions that restrict women's freedom to control their own bodies. The case study of Canada where there are no abortion laws, presented in this issue, demonstrates that abortion can be regulated as a normal component of usual medical care [2]. The health profession does not have political power but has knowledge, and knowledge is power. We have the responsibility to educate the public, policymakers, and legislators about the impact of restrictive laws, policies, and regulations on women's health. As reported in the Irish case presented in this issue, healthcare providers can have a significant influence [3]. The profession, in collaboration with others, has to stand beside and behind women as they empower themselves. A review on the preventable pandemic of unsafe abortion concluded that the underlying causes of mortality and morbidity from unsafe abortion currently are not blood loss and infection but, rather, apathy and disdain toward women [4]. This Special Issue provides obstetrician/gynecologists with evidence-based information that they need to fulfill their collective responsibility at the national and the global level. The editor-in-chief and the guest-editor are to be complimented for selecting the appropriate themes and for assembling this outstanding group of international experts and their authoritative contributions.
Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 2019
It is now more than 50 years since the World Health Assembly recognized abortion as a serious pub... more It is now more than 50 years since the World Health Assembly recognized abortion as a serious public health problem. The challenge still stands. Addressing the problem of unsafe abortion is a national and global public health imperative, dictated by the magnitude of the problem and its impact on individuals and society, inequity of the burden of disease, and an international consensus of the global health community. Almost every abortion death and disability could be prevented through cost-effective public health interventions, including sexuality education, use of effective contraception, provision of safe, legal induced abortion, and quality humane postabortion care. Safe abortion continues to be a challenge to public health because of diverse national restrictive legal regulations, prevailing stigma and lack of political commitment. Health professionals have a social responsibility to educate policymakers, legislators and the public at large about adverse impacts of restrictive abortion regulations, laws and policies on women's health.
Uploads
Videos by Mahmoud F Fathalla
Papers by Mahmoud F Fathalla
International organisations have provided detailed definitions of human violent behaviour and have estimated that, as of 2021, some 30% of all women aged 15 and older have been victims of some form of physical and/or sexual violence, mostly perpetrated by current or former intimate partners. This makes violence against women (VAW) the most pervasive, yet least recognized, human rights violation in the world.
VAW represents even today a multifaceted evil that takes a myriad of forms, all aimed at dominating women and girls; they include: The practice of female infanticide; sexual coercion and harassment; rape; feminicide and honour killing; trafficking of women and girls; female genital mutilations; war-linked abuses of women and girls.
Focus must be on prevention and management. Preventive measures should move in two directions: improving the ability of girls and women to self-defence and creating safe environments; putting to work educational programmes for male adolescents aimed at modifying stereotypes of manhood and traditional gender dominance roles.
Management of male aggression should include the development and enforcement of legislation and policies severely punishing aggressive behaviours, sexual or otherwise. Unfortunately, VAW is still not recognized as a specific crime in many countries; in addition, even when restrained, men often continue with their harassment which may lead to death. This requires additional measures.
Finally, since violent behaviour often carries serious health consequences, medical and paramedical personnel should be taught of ways to help needy women through three main avenues: advocacy, training, and the provision of dedicated services.