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The Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs has reiterated the Ministry’s firm commitment to the national effort to eliminate cervical cancer, joining the Ministry of Health, WHO, UNFPA, development partners and civil society groups in commemorating the World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action.
Speaking at the event, the Minister noted that cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in Sierra Leone, despite being largely preventable through HPV vaccination, regular screening, and timely treatment. She pointed to limited awareness, stigma, and restricted access to health services especially in rural and underserved communities as key challenges that continue to expose women and girls to risk.
The Minister described the elimination of cervical cancer as both a public health priority and a gender justice issue. She emphasized that women’s health underpins family stability, social cohesion, and national development, adding that gaps in preventive healthcare create long-term consequences for future generations.
Referencing Sierra Leone’s alignment with the WHO’s 90-70-90 targets, she highlighted the importance of global and regional frameworks such as the AU Agenda 2063, the Maputo Protocol, the National GEWE Policy, and the National Strategy for Cervical Cancer Elimination. These instruments, she said, call for gender-responsive approaches that tackle the structural barriers affecting women’s access to health services.
The Minister also commended national progress toward achieving 90% HPV vaccination coverage for girls, 70% screening coverage for women, and 90% treatment access for those diagnosed. She stressed that hitting these targets will require stronger community engagement, improved rural service delivery, accessible public information, and increased gender-responsive financing.
She reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to working closely with the Ministry of Health, WHO, UNFPA and other partners to integrate cervical cancer prevention into broader gender and child health initiatives. Strengthened collaboration, she said, is essential to ensuring that no woman or girl is left behind.
The message underscored Sierra Leone’s alignment with the global agenda to eliminate cervical cancer and its dedication to achieving SDG 3 and SDG 5. The Minister called on government institutions, partners, civil society and communities to work collectively to protect women’s health and uphold their rights.
The Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Health and its partners for their continued leadership and reaffirmed its commitment to advancing women’s health and empowerment nationwide.
