Professor Fathalla is a social leader who has taken decisive action in pursuit of the promotion, realization and defense of sexual and reproductive health as a basic human right and who has demonstrated a positive impact on the attainment of the IPPF mission and vision.
Professor Fathalla is a son of the Arab World, but is a true global citizen. An outstanding professional, and one of the world’s leading obstetrician/gynaecologists, his pioneering work in associating maternal mortality with medical ethics and human rights ensured that the world saw the women behind the global maternal mortality statistics.
In large part due to his efforts, we all know that more than 536,000 women die each year of causes related to pregnancy and childbirth, but his explanation of why maternal mortality is a human rights problem has been phenomenally successful in raising awareness. He has a magnificent ability not only to master statistics, but also to turn them into issues that everyone can understand and care about.
Professor Fathalla has not shyed away from difficult and awkward issues, in a particularly challenging area of the world. His professional standing, coupled with vision, courage and intellect, have resulted in professor Fathalla being a persuasive and effective advocate for Women and women’s rights over a prolonged period of time.
IPPF were extremely fortunate in that Professor Fathalla was a founder member of IMAP – later Chairing the organization. In addition, he has recently published a ground-breaking book entitled ‘Issues in Women’s Health and Rights; International, Arab Regional and Egyptian perspectives’, which he has allowed IPPF Arab World to distribute. This groundbreaking and compassionate work was recently recognized and rewarded by the award of the United Nations Population Award, Individual Category.
Consequently, in recognition of the above years of dedicated service to sexual and reproductive health and rights, IPPF present Professor Mahmoud Fathalla with the award for Individual Contributions to Sexual Health and Rights.
Dr J S Sharpe
President
International Planned Parenthood Federation
21 November 2009