Visionary ladies leaders from throughout the Commonwealth got here collectively in Samoa right this moment to make a powerful dedication to defending ladies and women from what they name “totally preventable” struggling brought on by violence and cervical most cancers.
The pledge was made at a high-level occasion in Apia on 24 October 2024, attended by Her Majesty The Queen, ministers, first girls, well being leaders and campaigners, forward of the Commonwealth Heads of Authorities Assembly.
Hosted by the Commonwealth Secretary-Basic Patricia Scotland KC, the occasion centered on sharing profitable initiatives that may very well be replicated in different international locations to help victims and assist eradicate the dual threats of violence and cervical most cancers.
Addressing the gathering, The Queen known as for an finish to the home and sexual violence, which she stated impacts 30 per cent of ladies of their lifetime.
She stated: “Confronted with the vastness of the problem, it could appear nearly inconceivable to know the place to start. But our Commonwealth’s 75-year historical past gives hope, inspiration and – crucially – options. Leaders from across the globe are keen to fulfill, as equals, and to have tough, and constructive, conversations.
“We all know abuse will be prevented and finally eradicated, however provided that we work collectively till that job is accomplished. That’s our dedication to one another, to the Commonwealth and to the generations to return.”
The Secretary-Basic acknowledged that whereas she wished such a gathering was not wanted, the cruel actuality is that far too many nonetheless stay in worry of violence and are liable to a preventable illness.
“We can’t be silent. Violence in opposition to ladies and women is a basic sick,” she stated. “Right this moment, we honour the experiences of ladies who’ve suffered and renew our dedication to forestall future struggling.”
The Secretary-Basic added: “Collectively, we will – and we should – construct a future the place each lady is free from the specter of violence, and the place each lady has entry to the healthcare she wants to forestall and survive cervical most cancers.”
Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa urged individuals to be daring and open of their efforts to finish abuse.
Sharing her nation’s expertise, the Prime Minister stated: “Samoa is dedicated to reforming authorized frameworks aimed toward defending ladies from violence and holding perpetrators accountable. We additionally spearheaded the Samoa cervical most cancers elimination technique, which outlines … a set of actions to forestall new diagnoses of cervical most cancers.”
Audio system, together with Her Majesty The Queen, the Samoan Prime Minister and the Secretary-Basic, notably counseled the ‘Commonwealth Says NO MORE’ marketing campaign for its vital position in supporting nationwide and Commonwealth efforts to deal with home and sexual violence.
Cervical most cancers disproportionately impacts ladies in Commonwealth international locations, particularly survivors of gender-based violence, who’re at higher risk of creating the illness.
In a video message, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-Basic of the World Well being Group, stated: “Greater than 40 per cent of cervical most cancers happens in Commonwealth international locations. Ladies in low-income international locations … are the more than likely to die, although cervical most cancers is each preventable and curable. It’s not only a well being difficulty. It’s an fairness difficulty.”
With out pressing motion, cervical cancer-related deaths within the Commonwealth may improve by 62 per cent by 2030, which is equal to 1 lady dying each three minutes.
Nonetheless, progress is being made. Dr Tedros praised six Commonwealth international locations for introducing cervical most cancers vaccines for the primary time final 12 months, bringing the entire to 50 out of the 56 member international locations now providing life-saving safety.
Australian Overseas Minister Hon Penny Wong stated: “Regardless of being totally preventable, it’s the fourth commonest most cancers for girls worldwide and disproportionately impacts ladies in creating international locations.”
Ladies within the Pacific, she added, die from the illness at 13 instances the speed of ladies in Australia.
Minister Wong highlighted Australia’s efforts in direction of changing into the primary nation to remove cervical most cancers and pledged to help increasing this initiative throughout the Pacific.
Closing the occasion, Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-Basic Dr Arjoon Suddhoo counseled the primary girls for his or her distinctive efforts to deal with the dual threats, including that their advocacy was very important within the struggle in opposition to violence and cervical most cancers.
