Cervical Cancer Elimination Campaign AFRICA

Linda Merieau is organizing this fundraiser.

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Hi, my name is Linda. I am a founding member and Past President of Soroptimist International Europe Gulf Dubai Club.

This is a solidarity fundraiser of Soroptimist International Europe for Soroptimist Africa.

The SIE Clubs from Dubai and Witten Ruhr have spearheaded a campaign between Soroptimist International Africa Federation and the United Nations Health4Life campaign to eliminate cervical cancer across Africa.

Did you know that 321 women in Africa hear the words ‘You have cervical cancer’ every day? It

always comes as a big surprise as symptoms generally show only 15 – 20 years after infection by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Once a woman in Africa notices that she has unexplained pain or

bleeding, if she is lucky enough to find a doctor that diagnoses this cancer, it is often too late for

treatment or the needed treatment facilities simply don’t exist in her country. Yet, cervical cancer is

preventable and treatable.

Each year, some 77,000 women in Africa lose their lives, unnecessarily, to this invisible disease.

Women like Thabilise’s mom. Thabilise is a Soroptimist from SI Johannesburg, South Africa. She lost

her mother to cervical cancer when she was just a young girl, and she witnessed the agonizing pain it brought her mother and the family. We can put an end to this so no child in Africa will grow up

without a mother because of this invisible cancer. At the SIAF annual conference in Durban in May

2023, we announced a partnership with the United Nations Health4Life Fund, including WHO,

UNICEF, UNDP and other UN agencies, to contribute to cervical cancer elimination across Africa.

It is time to make the invisible visible! Cervical cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths

and the 2nd most commonly diagnosed cancer in Africa. And the figures are on the rise. The best

response is prevention. However, in 2021, only 12% of girls were fully vaccinated against the human

papillomavirus (HPV) worldwide.

WHO’s global cervical cancer elimination strategy calls for 90% of adolescent girls to be vaccinated by age 15. In Africa, there are some shining examples – Ethiopia and Rwanda reached 84% coverage, Botswana has achieved 87%, while the Seychelles stands at 99% of girls having had the last dose. However, over half the countries on the African continent lag very far behind, with many countries having no HPV vaccination program in place at all.

Soroptimists are raising our voices and raising the funds needed for countries to eliminate

cervical cancer through vaccination, regular screening, and early treatment. Soroptimists across Africa will be advocating in their countries for improved access to services and raising awareness in their communities on the need for vaccination and regular screening. In partnership with governments, the United Nations, private sector, philanthropists and other civil society organizations, we will make this a disease of the past.

For just under $15, one girl can be vaccinated against infection by the human papillomavirus (HPV). For around $10, a woman can be screened for cervical cancer prevention.

Thank you for giving. Any amount is welcome.