World Marks Cervical Cancer Elimination Day with Accelerated Control Measures Globally
Today marks World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day, as nations worldwide intensify efforts to combat the disease and progress towards the enterprising goals set by the WHO Global Strategy for Cervical Cancer Elimination. Important strides are being made in expanding access to immunization, screening, and treatment, demonstrating a global commitment to achieving the 90-70-90 targets.
Several countries have announced key initiatives and investments:
Indonesia is pursuing cervical cancer elimination by 2030 through national targets of 90-75-90, bolstered by a strong partnership ecosystem and substantial investments in vaccination, screening, and treatment, as outlined in its National Cervical Cancer Elimination Plan 2023-2030.
Nepal plans to launch a national HPV vaccination campaign targeting girls aged 10 to 14 years in February 2025, integrating the HPV vaccine into the national immunization schedule.
Nigeria is demonstrating national leadership with a commitment of $700,000 USD through the Renewed Hope initiative, spearheaded by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu. This investment supports the WHO elimination targets and reflects Nigeria’s co-sponsorship of the resolution establishing World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day.
pakistan recently completed the largest HPV vaccination campaign ever conducted by a single country, targeting over 9 million girls aged 9 to 14 years with the HPV vaccine.
Rwanda, through Mission 2027 and its Phase-out Acceleration Plan, is rapidly scaling up testing and treatment services nationwide, aiming to achieve the 90-70-90 targets by 2027 – three years ahead of the global deadline.
Spain, via the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), is providing a three-year investment to support the WHO Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative, strengthening access to immunization, testing, and treatment in countries within the WHO African and eastern Mediterranean Regions.
South Africa has placed cervical cancer elimination on the G20 health agenda, reaffirming its support for the WHO Global Strategy. The country also co-led the resolution establishing World Cervical cancer Elimination Day and is finalizing its National Strategic Framework for Cervical Cancer Elimination, slated for launch later this year.
Tajikistan will introduce HPV vaccination for all girls aged 10-14 years as part of its routine immunization schedule starting in October 2025.
Tunisia is set to introduce the anti-HPV vaccine into its systematic vaccination program for girls aged 12 in April 2025.
In the WHO Western Pacific Region, Unitaid and WHO have expanded their partnership to bolster cervical cancer prevention and treatment programs, focusing on equitable access to screening and treatment for precancerous lesions.
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and its partners believe the ambitious goal of reaching 86 million girls with HPV vaccination by the end of 2025 has been achieved. Official WHO/UNICEF HPV vaccine coverage estimates to verify this number will be released in july 2026.
