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By Tracy Moses
The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that Africa has a historic opportunity to eliminate cervical cancer within a generation if countries intensify efforts around HPV vaccination, routine screening and timely treatment.
WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Mohamed Janabi, made the call on Monday in his 2025 message to mark World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day, urging governments to demonstrate stronger political will and invest more resources to ensure that “no woman dies from a disease we already know how to prevent.”
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Africa, and the region continues to record some of the highest mortality rates globally due to poor access to screening, late detection and inadequate treatment facilities. The disease is primarily caused by persistent infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus that can be effectively prevented through vaccination.
In 2020, WHO launched the Global Strategy to Accelerate the Elimination of Cervical Cancer as a Public Health Problem. The strategy sets ambitious 2030 targets for countries, including vaccinating 90 percent of girls under 15, screening 70 percent of women at least twice in their lifetime, and ensuring 90 percent of women with pre-cancer or cancer receive treatment.
“Cervical cancer remains one of the most common and deadliest cancers affecting African women. Yet it is also one of the most preventable,” Janabi said.
“With HPV vaccination, effective screening tools and timely treatment now available, elimination is within our grasp. Our task is to make these lifesaving tools accessible to every girl and woman, no matter where she lives.”
Janabi noted that momentum is increasing across the continent, with 32 African countries now offering HPV vaccines through their national immunisation programmes, reaching nearly half of eligible adolescent girls. Several more countries joined in 2025, while at least eight others are expected to introduce the vaccine in 2026.
He described each rollout as “a life saved,” adding that every new introduction means protection from infection, loss, unnecessary suffering and preventable deaths.
A major component of the WHO strategy is the Women’s Integrated Cancer Services (WICS) initiative, which integrates cervical and breast cancer screening into primary health care services. Introduced at the 75th WHO Regional Committee meeting, WICS aims to provide “continuous, integrated and women-centred” access to early detection and treatment.
Janabi also commended global partners, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and the Government of Spain, for supporting African countries with updated cancer control policies, training for frontline health workers, equipment for treating pre-cancerous lesions, and expanded screening and diagnostic capacity.
Despite progress, he warned that the continent still has a long way to go.
“Too many women still lack access to screening, diagnosis and treatment. Too many health systems remain overstretched and under-resourced to provide the quality care women deserve,” he said.
Janabi called on African governments to accelerate action across the three pillars of the global elimination strategy: vaccination, screening and treatment. He emphasised that eliminating cervical cancer will require long-term commitment from governments, communities, development partners and individuals.
“Together, we can make elimination a reality, ensuring a future where every woman in Africa has access to protection, care and dignity,” he said.
World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day is marked annually on November 17, following its adoption by the World Health Assembly.