Across the Commonwealth, it is estimated that one woman will die of cervical cancer every three minutes if no action is taken by 2030.
On Wednesday, 31 January 2024, the Commonwealth Secretariat will host an hour-long webinar to highlight how cervical cancer affects us all, raise awareness of the work being done to tackle the issue and feature some of the stakeholders who are working to reduce the rising burden of cervical cancer across our member countries.
A 2022 report also found that Commonwealth members account for 40 per cent of global cervical cancer incidence and 43 per cent of cervical cancer deaths. These startling statistics have led to the appointment of the Commonwealth International Cervical Cancer Task Force to work with the Secretariat's Health team to advance a holistic approach towards cervical cancer elimination.
The online event will include discussions on how we can dispel the myths and misconceptions that are often barriers to cancer prevention and will explore some of the key challenges hindering progress.
Featured speakers
- Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, Commonwealth Secretary-General
- HE Mrs Mariam Mwinyi, the First Lady of Zanzibar
- HE Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, the First Lady of The Gambia
- HE Monica Geingos, the First Lady of the Republic of Namibia
Other speakers
- Anita Graham, Commonwealth Youth Health Network (CYHN)
- Dr Sonali Johnson, Head of Knowledge, Advocacy and Policy, Union for International Cancer Control
- Dr Miriam Mutebi, Chair of the Commonwealth International Cervical Cancer Task Force
- Prof. Marion Saville, Executive Director, Australian Centre for Prevention of Cervical Cancer
