WAS confirms that we are confident that every measure was taken to ensure that the recommendations are scientific, evidence- and rights-based, experience-informed and context-sensitive with the intention to bring sexual health and rights to ALL, including transgender and gender diverse people of all ages.
We recognize that no prescribed guideline can be totally comprehensive and applicable across all contexts, but we applaud WPATH for the enduring effort they have put into constructing standards of care which are as thorough and inclusive as possible. As research in this field progresses, so do their efforts to ensure these norms remain at a high standard - an admirable dedication!
WAS applauds WPATH for their dedication to cultivating an ever-evolving standard of care that takes into account the complexities of gender identity and its associated medical treatments. Their commitment to providing a high level framework sets them apart from other organizations striving towards similar goals.
WAS encourages all clinicians, law and policy makers and civil society members from all over the world to refer to the WPATH SOC 8 and to endeavour to implement it to the best of their ability in their local environment with the best interest of each individual person mind.
DECLARATION ON SEXUAL PLEASURE
AFFIRMS that:
Sexual pleasure is the physical and/or psychological satisfaction and enjoyment derived from shared or solitary erotic experiences, including thoughts, fantasies, dreams, emotions, and feelings.
Self-determination, consent, safety, privacy, confidence and the ability to communicate and negotiate sexual relations are key enabling factors for pleasure to contribute to sexual health and well-being. Sexual pleasure should be exercised within the context of sexual rights, particularly the rights to equality and non-discrimination, autonomy and bodily integrity, the right to the highest attainable standard of health and freedom of expression. The experiences of human sexual pleasure are diverse and sexual rights ensure that pleasure is a positive experience for all concerned and not obtained by violating other people’s human rights and well-being
DECLARE that:
1. The possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences free of discrimination, coercion, and violence is a fundamental part of sexual health and well-being for all;
2. Access to sources of sexual pleasure is part of human experience and subjective well-being;
3. Sexual pleasure is a fundamental part of sexual rights as a matter of human rights;
4. Sexual pleasure includes the possibility of diverse sexual experiences;
5. Sexual pleasure shall be integrated into education, health promotion and service delivery, research and advocacy in all parts of the world;
6. The programmatic inclusion of sexual pleasure to meet individuals’ needs, aspirations, and realities ultimately contributes to global health and sustainable development and it should require comprehensive, immediate and sustainable action.
All members of the global community must come together to promote sexual health. Governments, international organizations, universities and colleges, healthcare professionals, media outlets and more must join forces with private sector actors in order to magnify positive changes that will benefit those throughout society - especially those benefiting from initiatives by the World Association for Sexual Health.
By making sexual pleasure a cornerstone of laws and regulations, we can ensure people have the right to experience informed, safe intimacy throughout their lifespan. Comprehensive sexuality education allows this by emphasizing respect for self-determination and equality while producing programs tailored to individual needs.
Comprehensive sexuality education should empower people of all ages to experience sexual pleasure in an informed, respectful, and safe way that fits their individual needs. By ensuring this is tailored specifically for each person's unique capacities and life stage we can foster a more inclusive approach that empowers individuals to make self-determined choices regarding sex.
We must come together as a global community to acknowledge and celebrate the broad spectrum of sexual pleasures that exist. This means recognizing human rights, developing evidence-based policy and practices, fostering positive interpersonal interactions, and taking collective action towards this noble cause.
The World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) is committed to empowering individuals across the globe with knowledge, resources and advocacy on sexual health. With a mission of advancing scientifically-based sexuality research, education and clinical sexology through transdisciplinary collaboration, WAS recently ratified The Declaration of Sexual Pleasure at its 25th World Congress in 2019 - an important step towards achieving enhanced wellbeing for all.
