The iconic Christ the Redeemer statue to lit up as world leaders gather in Rio de Janeiro for the G20 Summit this weekend. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has organised a global campaign to commemorate the "Day of Action for Cervical Cancer Elimination," which includes illumination. Advocates from Brazil and other nations have come together to raise awareness and mobilise efforts to eradicate cervical cancer—a preventable disease that unfortunately claims many lives globally.

It may be recalled that on this day four years ago, 194 countries came together to pass a landmark resolution to eradicate cervical cancer, initiating the first global strategy of its kind. Since then, the global community has made much progress. At least 144 nations have distributed the HPV vaccine, critical in preventing the cancer-causing virus. Over 60 countries have included HPV testing in their cervical screening programs, and 83 countries currently offer surgical care for cervical cancer in their health insurance plans.

The WHO DG, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, expressed his gratitude to health workers worldwide who are spearheading this initiative stating "I thank all the health workers who are playing a critical role in this global effort. 

"While we are making progress, there are still significant disparities, with women in low-income nations carrying the majority of the burden. Only through strong leadership and continuous investment will we be able to realise our common goal of fair access for the most vulnerable communities," he added.

The global day of action for cervical cancer elimination has sparked a range of significant projects around the globe, each emphasising the crucial need for prevention and early detection. As part of larger healthcare reform efforts, Chile plans to launch a new pilot project for self-collected HPV testing, aiming to increase accessibility and enable early detection. China has taken a comprehensive strategy, holding educational programs and health runs in 31 cities to raise awareness about HPV vaccination and encourage public engagement.

An awareness march in Kinshasa, aimed to mobilise the public and encourage community engagement, highlighted the announcement of a national strategy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to eradicate cervical cancer. Meanwhile, Ethiopia, with funding from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, is stepping up its preventive measures to vaccinate over seven million girls against HPV, significantly bolstering the country's efforts to reduce future cervical cancer cases.

In India, civil society organisations are actively organising awareness campaigns and offering specialized training to healthcare professionals in order to increase their early detection and treatment capacities. This grassroots strategy complements national-level initiatives in nations such as Ireland, which is launching an ambitious Action Plan aimed at eliminating cervical cancer by 2040 as part of its continued commitment to cancer prevention.

Japan will illuminate over 70 sites in Teal as part of its annual Teal Blue Campaign, a symbolic gesture to raise national awareness. Similarly, Nigeria is mobilising advocacy through efforts spearheaded by the Nigerian First Ladies Against Cancer, which aim to educate communities and raise vaccination rates.

Rwanda's government is taking a proactive approach, establishing an ambitious goal of meeting the 90-70-90 cervical cancer elimination targets by 2027, three years ahead of the WHO's worldwide target. Meanwhile, South Africa is working to strengthen its healthcare system by providing specialised training to clinicians in three regions with the goal of improving HPV screening and treatment services.

These coordinated initiatives represent a common global commitment to combating cervical cancer through preventative measures, education, and accessible healthcare services, demonstrating the global determination to eradicate this preventable yet highly fatal condition.

Additionally, WHO has issued revised recommendations on Target Product Profiles (TPPs) for HPV screening tests. This guidance aims to facilitate the creation of affordable, high-performing HPV tests, suitable for use in remote, resource-constrained environments. The emphasis is on developing tests that allow for self-sampling, making it easier for women to engage in screening programs, especially in low-income areas with the greatest cervical cancer prevalence.

The global movement to eradicate cervical cancer demonstrates a united front in combating a preventable illness that has long been a major public health issue. As countries step up their efforts, the symbolism of renowned sites lighting up in teal serves as a strong reminder of the global commitment to ensure equal access to life-saving immunizations and screenings for all women, regardless of socioeconomic status.