JOHANNESBURG - Monday marked the first ever World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day.
READ: Cervical cancer vaccine push has saved 1.4 million lives: Gavi
Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi addressed a panel of experts on the first World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day in Cape Town.
It was organised by the World Health Organization (WHO) to try to speed up efforts to end cervical cancer as a public health problem.
For the first time, the world marks #WorldCervicalCancerEliminationDay.
Cervical cancer is the 4th most common cancer in women, yet it’s preventable and curable when detected early. Experts from the Eastern & Southern Africa region are meeting in Cape Town to advance HPV… pic.twitter.com/V82Wmu5ER2— WHO South Africa (@WHOSouthAfrica) November 17, 2025
In his keynote address, Motsoaledi called cervical cancer “a matter of social justice and gender equality”.
He reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to WHO’s 90-70-90 targets.
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The Minister reported that six million girls have been vaccinated through the national school-based campaign since 2014 and confirmed that the Department of Health will now extend the programme to independent and private schools and will implement WHO’s single-dose HPV guidelines.
It's World #CervicalCancer Elimination Day
Cervical cancer could be the first cancer EVER in the world to be eliminated, if:
9️⃣0️⃣% of girls are vaccinated
7️⃣0️⃣% of women are screened
9️⃣0️⃣% of women with cervical cancer receive treatmenthttps://t.co/AJuCwPV6kG… pic.twitter.com/fNsbK9qWYL— WHO South Africa (@WHOSouthAfrica) November 17, 2025
Motsoaledi stressed that the next phase of South Africa’s strategy must strengthen screening and treatment pathways, improve referral pathways and intensify community engagement to overcome vaccine hesitancy.
He emphasised that community engagement and visible public campaigns are essential to overcome hesitancy, rejecting criticism that awareness launches “waste resources”.
He drew parallels with South Africa’s successful HIV testing campaigns, noting that visibility drives understanding, questions and ultimately uptake.
The panel discussion stressed that health innovations must centre the needs of women.
Despite technological progress, cervical cancer screening remains uncomfortable and invasive for many, contributing to low uptake, while a promising innovation like self-sampling, is held back by regulatory barriers and limited public understanding.
Speakers agreed that political commitment must now translate into stronger delivery.