GENEVA: To highlight the global efforts for raising awareness about the threat posed by cervical cancer to women and girls and provide them easy access to screening and vaccination, the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, will be illuminated in teal this weekend as world leaders convene there for the G20 summit.
The illumination marks the World Health Organization’s (WHO) “Day of Action for Cervical Cancer Elimination”, a global initiative aimed at accelerating efforts to eradicate cervical cancer by promoting access to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, screening, and treatment.
Now in its fourth year, the campaign has mobilised governments, civil society, and health organisations worldwide.
Brazil joins other nations in lighting prominent landmarks to show solidarity with WHO’s mission, which aligns with the 2020 resolution adopted by 194 countries to eliminate cervical cancer.
Since the resolution’s adoption, 144 countries have introduced the HPV vaccine, 60 have incorporated HPV testing into screening programmes, and 83 now provide surgical care for cervical cancer as part of their health-benefit packages.
WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus acknowledged the efforts of frontline health workers while highlighting persistent inequities, especially in low-income countries. He stressed the importance of strong leadership and investment to ensure equitable access to prevention and treatment services.
Countries worldwide are taking targeted steps to advance the elimination of cervical cancer. In this connection, Chile plans to pilot self-collection with HPV testing as part of its universal health reforms. In China, awareness events across 31 cities will include academic lectures and health runs.
Similarly, the Democratic Republic of the Congo will launch a national strategy with a forum and a march in Kinshasa, while Ethiopia, with support from Gavi, will roll out an HPV vaccination campaign targeting over 7 million girls.
Meanwhile, India is set to conduct awareness campaigns and train healthcare professionals across multiple states. Ireland will reveal an action plan aimed at eliminating cervical cancer by 2040, while Japan will highlight its Teal Blue Campaign by illuminating over 70 landmarks. Nigeria will promote advocacy through the First Ladies Against Cancer initiative, and Rwanda is working towards achieving WHO’s 90-70-90 targets by 2027.
South Africa also plans to enhance its efforts by training healthcare providers in three provinces.
WHO has also introduced new guidelines on Target Product Profiles (TPPs) for HPV screening tests, emphasising affordable and practical solutions for low-resource settings. These guidelines promote self-collection tests to improve accessibility, particularly for women in underserved areas.
As global efforts to eliminate cervical cancer progress, the Day of Action underscores the struggle and the challenges that remain.
With continued collaboration and investment, WHO’s ambitious target of eliminating cervical cancer by 2030 is within reach.