Cervical Cancer Call to Action

The call was launched at the Global Forum on Cervical Cancer in Kuala Lumpur on 27 May. The event was organised by GAVI with a host of sponsors (including UICC). The meeting was held just prior to the start of the 2013 Women Deliver Conference.

The full day meeting was attended by over 400 participants, including the First Ladies of Mozambique and Zambia. Introductory remarks were made by David Gold, Founder of Global Health Strategies and CEO of Women Deliver, and Jill Sheffield.

Over 300,000 women die every year of cervical cancer and this figure is projected to double by 2030, but low-cost and effective interventions exist. During the forum, the Call to Action on Universal Access to Cervical Cancer Prevention was announced with the following objective: that every girl have access to HPV vaccines and every woman have access to screening and treatment. Panelists highlighted the enormous advances in reduction of price and roll-out of the vaccine in GAVI eligible countries, but noted the continuing challenge for middle-income countries to procure and roll-out vaccines. 

Opening and closing plenary sessions featured representatives from WHO, GAVI, the Minister of Health of Senegal, the First Lady of Zambia, UICC Board of Directors Member Felicia Knaul, and advocates. Several breakout sessions were also organised during the day, including region-focussed meetings.

You can sign the call for action here.