STI&HIV World Congress | FGS Workshop

July 30, 2025 7:15 AM - 8:15 AM
Canada

Room TBC

Ending the Neglect: The Importance of Female Genital Schistosomiasis for quality Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare

Objectives:

Following the workshop, participants will:

Have a heightened awareness and  understanding of FGS and its importance to STI service delivery: including its epidemiology, biology, symptoms and root social and environmental causes; the links between FGS and SRH,, particularly STIs and HIV; and the broader impacts of FGS including stigmatisation, exclusion, gender-based violence and mental health.

Consider recent innovations and strategies that can strengthen the response to FGS through integration into SRH programming and primary health care services, including rapid diagnostic tests, self-testing techniques, treatment to reduce symptom severity and holistic approaches like the FAST Package.

Identify programmatic challenges and opportunities for integration of FGS into SRH services in their respective contexts: Challenges include lack of awareness of FGS as a SRH issue standardised clinical and programmatic guidance and training; and a health financing architecture that undermines integrated approaches. Opportunities include using FGS as an entry point for enhancing the quality of clinical care  and equity of SRH  services including HIV interventions in sub-Saharan Africa and the African diaspora across the world, through a Minimum Service Package, as well as improving cross-sectoral collaboration.

Speakers:

  • Remco Peters, World Health Organization  
  • Amadou Garba, World Health Organization  
  • Alison Krentel, University of Ottawa, Bruyere Research Institute
  • Olimpia Lamberti, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
  • Margaret Gyapong, University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ghana
  • Victoria Gamba, Kenya Obstetric and Gynecological Society
  • Marc Steben, International Society for STD Research (ISSTDR)