Our partners
Société Africaine de Gynécologie-Obstétrique (SAGO)
Maternal mortality is a tragedy that hits developing countries hard, especially those in Africa south of the Sahara, reflecting the great disparity between rich and poor countries. A response was needed, and that was when African obstetricians and gynaecologists met in Liège in 1980 and decided to get together to break down scientific barriers. This decision was followed by the World Conference on Maternal Mortality held in 1987 in Nairobi, Kenya. At this World Conference, the scale of maternal mortality was presented as the equivalent of 5 to 6 aeroplanes carrying 250 women of childbearing age crashing every day without a single survivor. This striking image led practitioners from French-speaking black Africa to create the African Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (SAGO) on 26 March 1988 in Cotonou, Benin, bringing together 7 countries. In 2024, SAGO will have 20 member countries.
World Association of Trainees in Obstetrics & Gynecology (WATOG)
The World Association of Trainees in Obstetrics & Gynaecology (WATOG) was founded on the 7th of October 2012 under the auspices of the Federation International of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians (FIGO). On that day 51 trainee representatives from 73 countries unanimously supported its founding. Today, we have more than 100 country representation in the association.
The association has been divided into six geographical regions: Europe, Asia, Latin America, North America, Africa and Oceania. Every region has two representatives who report to WATOG and whose task is to promote networking within the region and support and the creation of local trainee organizations. WATOG is a platform where trainees can connect, exchange information and learn from one another with a common goal of improving the quality of care and women’s health. Thanks to the individual effort of its voluntary organizing members and the support of few sponsors mainly FIGO, WATOG financed the participation of trainees from numerous member countries at the WATOG General Assembly during all the FIGO Congresses after its inception. This is an incredible opportunity for trainees from all over the world to meet, exchange ideas, and network. Furthermore, it facilitates the engagement of youth in the future of our specialty.
During the last few years a lot of progress has been achieved. Fifteen countries established national trainee organization. The network is getting stronger via online communication and through social media (Facebook, Twitter).
The active members of WATOG keep working to strengthen this network, where every trainee from every country would be able to benefit freely from the exchange of information and collaboration on a global level.
South African Association of Trainees in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (SAATOG)
SAATOG is the South African Association of Trainees in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, a non-profit organization for registrars, fellows, medical officers and junior consultants in O&G.
SAATOG offers trainees representation to the South African College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and is affiliated with SASOG, WATOG and the South African Registrars Association.
International Confederation of Midwives (ICM)
ICM has been the global voice of midwives and midwives’ associations for more than 100 years. The midwifery model of care is based on respect, dignity, compassion, and the promotion of human rights for all. This includes the right to access quality care from autonomous midwives. Midwives have a broad role in providing universal sexual reproductive health service according to the ICM Definition and Scope of Practice of a Midwife.
We currently represent over 136 midwives’ associations in 117 countries – more than one million midwives globally. We are a trusted partner for technical consultations, capacity building, knowledge sharing, promoting human rights and sustainability.
The Society of Midwives of South Africa (SOMSA)
Midwives in South Africa are the front-line caregivers and back bone in maternal and child health care. The pressure is on midwives to meet the challenges of providing quality care to child bearing families. It is imperative for midwives to continuously improve their competence whilst simultaneously continuing to maintain, reinforce and maximize their focus on interpersonal care. We must all assume the commitment to be active players in all aspects of our profession in order to contribute to the development of midwifery.
We need to deal with the challenges of transformation and change brought around by the dynamic needs of our society in the 21st century. Only by improving our practice and meeting these challenges head on will we be able to become the leaders our profession requires of us.
The midwives of South Africa have demonstrated their commitment in providing quality care by forming a society committed to meeting the challenges head on.
The society is affiliated with the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM).
