About Us
About WATOG
The World Association of Trainees in Obstetrics and Gynecology (WATOG) is a global non-profit organisation representing OB-GYN trainees/residents and early-career specialist obstetricians and gynaecologists within 10 years of commencing Specialist residency training.
Founded under the auspices of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) in Rome, Italy, on October 7, 2012, WATOG was established by 51 trainees representing 73 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, and Australia/Oceania. Today, WATOG has more than 100,000 OB-GYN trainees in more than 100 countries across the six regions of the world.
WATOG provides a global platform for OB-GYN trainees to connect, collaborate, network, exchange ideas and learn from one another, with the shared goal of improving women’s health and wellbeing worldwide.
One World Exchange (OWE) Fellowship
In collaboration with FIGO, WATOG launched the One World Exchange (OWE) fellowship in 2023. The first edition selected 60 OB-GYN trainees from six global regions to participate in a three-day clinical exchange/observership programme in French hospitals preceding the XXIV FIGO World Congress.
The second edition, OWE 2, had 33 Fellows and was held in South Africa from October 1–3, 2025, coupled to the XXV FIGO World Congress. The third edition is planned for Canada, coupled to the XXVI FIGO World Congress.
Leadership and Global Maternal Health
WATOG provides leadership opportunities and contributes to global maternal health initiatives, policies and guidelines through members serving on FIGO committees and on Scientific Programme and Organising Committees for FIGO World Congresses.
WATOG also hosts dedicated scientific sessions at FIGO World Congresses, chaired and co-chaired by OB-GYN trainees, with speakers drawn from WATOG’s global membership. Through their roles on FIGO committees, WATOG members contribute to clinical/practice guidelines and position statements on maternal health.
Editorial and Research Leadership
The International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (IJGO) appoints 2 WATOG members to its Editorial Board as Trainee/Associate Editors during every WATOG Executive Tenure. In this capacity, WATOG members handle research papers and help shape science and research on maternal health.
Research and Collaboration
WATOG fosters research collaborations among trainees globally, with collaborative research papers published in various international journals.
About WATOG Africa
WATOG Africa is the African regional arm of the World Association of Trainees in Obstetrics and Gynecology, bringing together OB-GYN trainees, residents and early-career specialists from across the continent. While Africa has been represented within WATOG since its establishment in 2012, WATOG Africa was formally structured as a regional network in 2025 with Dr Ayda Linda Wanjiku and Dr Nancy Tshala Kazadi serving as the two African Regional Representatives.
The formalisation of WATOG Africa marked an important step towards creating a more cohesive, connected and collaborative community of OB-GYN trainees across the continent. The vision has been to move beyond individual national representation towards a unified African network where trainees can learn from one another, collaborate across borders, conduct research, develop leadership skills and collectively contribute to improving women’s health in Africa.
Our Growth and Reach
WATOG Africa has experienced remarkable growth within a short period. From an initial 8 African member countries, the network has expanded to 28 countries, representing 50% of the countries in Africa.
WATOG Africa has officially reached the 50% milestone!
🇧🇼 Botswana | 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso | 🇧🇮 Burundi | 🇨🇲 Cameroon | 🇨🇩 Democratic Republic of the Congo | 🇪🇬 Egypt | 🇪🇹 Ethiopia | 🇸🇿 Eswatini | 🇬🇲 Gambia | 🇬🇭 Ghana | 🇰🇪 Kenya | 🇱🇷 Liberia | 🇱🇾 Libya | 🇲🇼 Malawi | 🇲🇱 Mali | 🇲🇦 Morocco | 🇳🇦 Namibia | 🇳🇬 Nigeria | 🇷🇼 Rwanda | 🇸🇱 Sierra Leone | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 🇸🇸 South Sudan | 🇸🇩 Sudan | 🇹🇿 Tanzania | 🇹🇳 Tunisia | 🇺🇬 Uganda | 🇿🇲 Zambia | 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
Each of these 28 countries now has an officially designated WATOG National Representative, creating a structured communication and leadership network connecting trainees at national level to the continental and global WATOG leadership.
This expansion represents more than an increase in numbers. It is the foundation for a truly Pan-African community of future obstetricians and gynaecologists, creating opportunities for collaboration across linguistic, geographic and health-system boundaries.
WATOG Africa Clinical Case Series
To strengthen clinical learning and collaboration across the continent, WATOG Africa launched the Bi-monthly Clinical Case Series.
Each webinar features a different African country, with trainees and clinicians presenting and discussing relevant obstetric and gynaecological cases from their respective settings.
The initiative provides a platform for:
- Cross-country clinical learning and exchange of experiences
- Sharing context-specific approaches to obstetric and gynaecological care
- Building professional relationships among trainees across Africa
- Promoting collaboration between national trainee societies
- Exposing trainees to diverse healthcare systems and clinical practices
- Identifying opportunities for research and multicentre collaboration
- Strengthening cohesion and a shared identity among African OB-GYN trainees
Ultimately, the Clinical Case Series seeks to demonstrate that Africa’s diversity can become a strength for shared learning rather than a barrier to collaboration.
The African Inter-Country Exchange Programme
Building on WATOG’s successful One World Exchange (OWE) fellowship model, WATOG Africa is preparing to launch an Inter-Country Exchange Programme that will enable African OB-GYN trainees to undertake short clinical observerships or exchanges in other African countries.
The programme will provide trainees with opportunities to experience different healthcare systems, clinical environments, surgical practices, training models and approaches to maternal and reproductive healthcare within Africa itself.
It will also create lasting professional networks and encourage future cross-border research and institutional collaboration.
Simulation and Practical Skills Training
WATOG Africa is also developing simulation-based skills training that will be implemented through national member societies.
The programme will introduce practical simulation workshops designed to strengthen trainees’ confidence and competence in essential obstetric and gynaecological skills, particularly those relevant to emergency care and safe clinical practice.
In addition, WATOG Africa envisions dedicating a full day to trainee societies during relevant regional or national engagements, creating a dedicated space for practical skills development, leadership development, networking, mentorship and professional growth.
Building the Future of African Women's Health
Through these initiatives, WATOG Africa is evolving from a network of national representatives into a continental movement for collaboration, clinical excellence, research, leadership and professional development.
The long-term vision is to connect trainees across all African countries and build a generation of OB-GYN specialists who are not only excellent clinicians, but also collaborators, researchers, leaders and advocates for women’s health across the continent.
WATOG Africa is building one community of African OB-GYN trainees, united by a common commitment to better women’s health.
Vision
A united, empowered and globally influential generation of African obstetricians and gynaecologists transforming the future of women’s health across the continent and beyond.
Mission
To connect, equip and elevate Africa’s OB-GYN trainees and early-career specialists through clinical learning, research, innovation, leadership and cross-border collaboration, building a powerful Pan-African community committed to advancing women’s health.