WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM – Seventeen WHO member states are urging the World Health Assembly to designate November 17 as World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day to prioritize prevention globally.
The proposal, led by countries including Rwanda, Nigeria, and Bangladesh, aims to accelerate action toward eliminating cervical cancer, a disease WHO calls “one of the few preventable cancers.”
“Proposing November 17 is a beacon of hope,” said Dr. Aisha Mustapha, a survivor and gynecologic oncologist in Nigeria. “It affirms our shared commitment to prevention and equity.”
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Launched in 2020, WHO’s global strategy targets 90% HPV vaccination coverage, 70% screening, and 90% treatment by 2030. But progress remains uneven.
According to the World Economic Forum, countries like Australia and Rwanda are leading, while many high-burden regions still lack screening and treatment access, especially for women living with HIV.
“Political will, investment and collaboration can change the course,” said Dr. Cherie Tulloch of Antigua and Barbuda’s Ministry of Health. “We stand in solidarity to ensure no woman is left behind.”
If adopted, the designation would support awareness, funding, and action to eliminate a preventable disease still claiming thousands of lives each year.