There’s a temptation, living in the relative comfort of present-day Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, to believe that the battle for women’s rights is mostly behind us. But history tells a different story. Until 1971, Australian women could only access the contraceptive pill if they were married. Until 1974, they couldn’t take out a mortgage or a credit card without a man’s co-signature. The Sex Discrimination Act changed that, but these milestones are not distant historical footnotes. They are the lived experience of our mothers, mentors and many of our patients. And while we should take stock of how far we’ve come, we also cannot lose sight of how far we still have to go – especially when it comes to equity in women’s health.

Since its inception, the Royal Australia New Zealand College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (RANZCOG) has been a leading body, committed to promoting excellence and equity in women’s and reproductive health care across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

The College advocates for equitable access for all the communities it serves, supports the safe adoption of emerging fem-tech innovations, shapes policies that transform clinical practice, and develops educational programs that strengthen the skills of doctors and health care professionals alike.

This commitment has been central to shaping the theme of the RANZCOG 2025 ASM, From Conception to Curtain Call. The Organising Committee has intentionally crafted a program that reflects the full arc of RANZCOG’s work, from clinical excellence to advocacy and education. The three-day Scientific Program charts a thoughtful journey – from reproductive rights through to menopause, and the future of women’s health. It also explores how technological advances are transforming care and how innovation can move us closer to equity, insight, and accountability in how we deliver care.

The program aims not merely to inform, but to challenge. What does equity look like in women’s health care? And what can we do, as clinicians, advocates, and changemakers, to help bring us closer to it? From disparities faced by First Nations peoples, and Māori, as well as other underserved populations such as refugees, migrants, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community, to birth trauma and access to sexual and reproductive health services, and the future of our specialty in a tech-driven world, the RANZCOG ASM 2025 will engage with the complex questions facing O&G.

In seeking forward-thinking speakers, the Organising Committee has taken a direct approach, engaging keynote speakers who challenge assumptions and speak to the heart of issues. Dr Matthew Leonardi and Professor Laura Magee, along with featured speaker Professor Linda Brubaker, will bring world leading research, innovation and insight across the spectrum of women’s health — from endometriosis to long-term maternal health outcomes, to the intersection of the microbiome and the wider world of women’s health.

Championed by trail blazing advocates and doctors, the program also includes Ian McDonald Memorial Orator and RANZCOG President-Elect Dr Nisha Khot, RCOG President Dr Ranee Thakar, Ella Macknight Memorial Lecturer Dr Clare Whitehead, podcast powerhouse and clinician Dr Kara Thompson, and GP advocate Dr Mariam Tokhi. A roundtable will bring together leaders from RCOG, ACOG, AOFOG, PSRH and SLCOG to explore how we can tackle global inequities, with a particular focus on improving birth outcomes in low resource countries through upskilling women’s health practitioners and collaboration.

At its core, the RANZCOG ASM 2025 serves as a statement of intent. A recognition that despite progress, systemic inequities in women’s health remain deeply entrenched. Whether shaped by race, gender identity, socioeconomic status, geography, or cultural barriers, these ongoing disparities demand action. This year’s program champions the voices and experiences of those affected. In doing so, it challenges every one of us — as clinicians, educators, leaders and advocates — to examine the roles we play in dismantling structural inequities.

We are looking forward to continuing these vital conversations with you at the RANZCOG ASM 2025, taking place at the Adelaide Convention Centre, from 18-22 October. If you haven’t yet registered, visit the ASM website to book your spot and explore more program highlights.

Thanks and congratulations to the Organising Committee for their dedication and contributions, and the RANZCOG Events Team who have been integral to organising this event. They have worked hard to ensure there is something for everyone and that all our members will learn new things and enjoy those essential interactions that occur in the O&G community.