The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged Member States to accelerate national action under the three pillars of the Global Strategy for Cervical Cancer Elimination—vaccination, screening and treatment—while placing women’s health and rights at the centre of universal health coverage.
WHO says this approach is crucial to making cervical cancer elimination a reality and ensuring that every woman in Africa, regardless of where she lives, has the protection, care and dignity she deserves.
In a message to mark the 2025 World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day, WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Mohamed Janabi, commended the progress being made by African countries toward a future free of cervical cancer but stressed the need for renewed commitment to ensure no woman dies from a preventable disease.
“Cervical cancer remains one of the most common and deadly cancers among women in Africa, yet it is also one of the most preventable,” Janabi said.
“With the tools now available—HPV vaccination, screening and timely treatment—elimination is within reach. The challenge before us is making these tools accessible to every girl and every woman, everywhere.”
Janabi noted that momentum is rising across the region, with 32 Member States having introduced HPV vaccination into their national immunization programmes, reaching nearly half of eligible girls.
Several countries added the vaccine this year, while at least eight others plan introductions in 2026.
“Each introduction represents protection—not only against the virus, but against loss, suffering and lives cut short,” she added.
The WHO Regional Director also highlighted the Women’s Integrated Cancer Services (WICS) initiative, which supports countries in integrating cervical and breast cancer screening into primary health care.
The continuous, accessible and women-centred approach strengthens prevention, early detection and treatment across the cancer care continuum.
Presented to Ministers of Health at the Seventy-Fifth Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, WICS provides a practical model for advancing women’s health throughout the region.
WHO expressed appreciation to development partners, including other UN agencies such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), as well as the Government of Spain, for their support toward national
Reporting by Julie Ekong