Lélia Bartolomeu, aged 12, witnessed firsthand the suffering of her grandmother, a cervical cancer survivor. “If the vaccine had been available in my time, I wouldn’t be going through this,” her grandmother told her as she battled the disease. This sentence marked Lélia’s life and reinforced her desire to contribute to change.

Like Lélia’s grandmother, every year in Africa, more than 117,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, of whom more than 76,000 end up dying. Although it is one of the most preventable and curable types of cancer when detected and treated early, limited access to prevention, screening, and treatment contributes to 90% of deaths related to the disease. 

In Angola, in particular, the figures are equally alarming. Data from the Angolan Cancer Control Institute reveal that in 2022 alone, 915 cases of cervical cancer were treated, representing about 17% of all cancer cases recorded in the country. 

To overcome the painful reality imposed by cervical cancer, Angola has acquired more than two million doses of the HPV vaccine, which is safe and prequalified by the WHO. It has therefore taken a historic step by launching, under the leadership of the Ministries of Health and Education, a national campaign to mobilize and engage the community in vaccination against cervical cancer under the leadership of the Ministries of Health and Education. The event was in Luanda, the country’s capital, and was attended by government officials, national and international partners, the private sector, families, and students. The ceremony was led by the First Lady of the Republic of Angola, Dr. Ana Dias Lourenço, who is the campaign’s ambassador. 

During the event, Lélia was the first female child to be registered to receive the vaccine, representing all girls in Angola. “I feel happy and fulfilled to represent the girls of my country and my continent. This vaccine protects us and allows us to dream of a better future,” she said enthusiastically. 

The introduction of the cervical cancer vaccine marks the beginning of a new era for the health of Angolan women and girls. Vaccination will be implemented in two phases: the first, which will take place between October 27 and November 7, 2025, will consist of a national campaign in schools, health centers, and fixed posts; the second phase will consist of integrating vaccination into the routine vaccination program, starting in January 2026.

“With this mobilization campaign, we want everyone to have access to accurate information, to be able to reflect, discuss, ask questions, and understand what is at stake. Only then will it be possible to make a conscious, informed, and responsible decision,” said the First Lady of the Republic of Angola, Dr. Ana Dias Lourenço. 

Vaccination against cervical cancer is an achievement in terms of protecting Angolan girls and future generations, as well as reducing inequalities in access to healthcare. It reaffirms Angola’s commitment to the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Strategy for Eliminating Cervical Cancer as a Public Health Problem. This strategy sets ambitious targets to be achieved by 2030: a) 90% of girls should be fully vaccinated against HPV by the age of 15; b) 70% of women should undergo high-precision screening tests at ages 35 and 45; and c) 90% of women with lesions or cancer should receive appropriate treatment.

To ensure vaccination against cervical cancer, the Angolan government has established strong partnerships with its development partners, namely the European Investment Bank, WHO, UNICEF, UNDP, GAVI, the European Union, the World Bank, and other strategic allies. 

The cervical cancer vaccine represents a medical breakthrough and an act of hope and social justice. Following the launch of the campaign, mobilization and engagement efforts in communities have intensified in Angola to ensure that all girls are registered, vaccinated, and can look forward to a future in which they can grow up healthy, dream big, and live without fear of this preventable disease.

“Let’s work together to vaccinate all girls and ensure that no one is left behind. The time is now, and it’s everyone’s responsibility,” urges Dr. Indrajit Hazarika, WHO Representative in Angola.