Profound Potential in Affiliation With African First Ladies

Some of the greatest successes for the partners of the Global HPV Consortium over the past year have come through regional and country-level cross-sectoral collaborations. Whether it is the Asia Pacific region’s Quad Moonshot, the cervical cancer elimination consortium in India or the coalitions forming through the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and groups such as Instituto de Governança e Controle do Câncer  (IGCC) in the Americas, the benefits of blending the expertise of our on-the-ground members with governmental and regional initiatives has led to profound promise and progress in prevention, screening and treatment of cervical cancer.

It is therefore so fitting that we start 2025 and Cervical Cancer Awareness Month with a bold new agreement between the Global HPV Consortium and the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD). In a region that bears an extraordinary burden of cervical cancer deaths, these significant advocates can enhance efforts for greater attention and resources devoted to ending cervical cancer and preventing HPV. I am excited about the enormous impact that alignment between OAFLAD and the Global HPV Consortium can drive.

Mobilizing Political Will

For more than two decades, OAFLAD has worked to advocate, mobilize assets and contribute to the development of the continent’s women and children. Starting with HIV/AIDS, and growing to include gender equity, youth empowerment, protection for people with disabilities and most recently the #WeAreEqual campaign, they have dedicated meaningful time and energy to mobilizing political will and strengthening capacity for improvements in health, in gender equity and in education in the more than 30 countries they represent.

I am optimistic that as the Consortium and OAFLAD finalize the nuts and bolts of how we can complement each other and act together over the next three years, it will bring greater momentum in a region intent on stemming the economic and social toll of thousands of preventable female deaths. Between this agreement and further partnerships within Africa, we see a definitive road that will lead to positive outcomes where they are most urgently needed.