Visionary women leaders from across the Commonwealth came together in Samoa to make a strong commitment to protecting women and girls from what they call “fully preventable” suffering caused by violence and cervical cancer.
The pledge was made at a high-level event in Apia on 24 October 2024, attended by Her Majesty The Queen, ministers, first ladies, health leaders and campaigners, ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
Hosted by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, the event focused on sharing successful initiatives that could be replicated in other countries to support victims and help eradicate the twin threats of violence and cervical cancer.
Addressing the gathering, The Queen called for an end to the domestic and sexual violence, which she said affects 30 per cent of women in their lifetime.
She said: “Faced with the vastness of the issue, it can seem almost impossible to know where to begin. Yet our Commonwealth’s 75-year history offers hope, inspiration and – crucially – solutions. Leaders from around the globe are willing to meet, as equals, and to have difficult, and constructive, conversations.
“We know abuse can be prevented and ultimately eliminated, but only if we work together until that task is completed. That is our commitment to each other, to the Commonwealth and to the generations to come.”
The Secretary-General acknowledged that while she wished such a gathering was not needed, the harsh reality is that far too many still live in fear of violence and are at risk of a preventable disease.
“We cannot be silent. Violence against women and girls is a fundamental ill,” she said. “Today, we honour the experiences of women who have suffered and renew our determination to prevent future suffering.”
The Secretary-General added:
“Together, we can – and we must – build a future where every woman is free from the threat of violence, and where every woman has access to the healthcare she needs to prevent and survive cervical cancer.”
Samoan Prime Minister Hon Fiame Naomi Mata’afa urged participants to be bold and open in their efforts to end abuse.
Sharing her country’s experience, the Prime Minister said:
“Samoa is committed to reforming legal frameworks aimed at protecting women from violence and holding perpetrators accountable. We also spearheaded the Samoa cervical cancer elimination strategy, which outlines … a set of actions to prevent new diagnoses of cervical cancer.”
Speakers, including Her Majesty The Queen, the Samoan Prime Minister and the Secretary-General, particularly commended the ‘Commonwealth Says NO MORE’ campaign for its critical role in supporting national and Commonwealth efforts to address domestic and sexual violence.
Cervical cancer disproportionately affects women in Commonwealth countries, especially survivors of gender-based violence, who are at higher risk of developing the disease.
In a video message, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, said:
“More than 40 per cent of cervical cancer occurs in Commonwealth countries. Women in low-income countries … are the most likely to die, even though cervical cancer is both preventable and curable. It’s not just a health issue. It’s an equity issue.”
Without urgent action, cervical cancer-related deaths in the Commonwealth could increase by 62 per cent by 2030, which is equivalent to one woman dying every three minutes.
However, progress is being made. Dr Tedros praised six Commonwealth countries for introducing cervical cancer vaccines for the first time last year, bringing the total to 50 out of the 56 member countries now offering life-saving protection.
Australian Foreign Minister Hon Penny Wong said: “Despite being fully preventable, it is the fourth most common cancer for women worldwide and disproportionately impacts women in developing countries.”
Women in the Pacific, she added, die from the disease at 13 times the rate of women in Australia.
Minister Wong highlighted Australia’s efforts towards becoming the first country to eliminate cervical cancer and pledged to support expanding this initiative across the Pacific.
Closing the event, Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Dr Arjoon Suddhoo commended the first ladies for their exceptional efforts to address the twin threats, adding that their advocacy was vital in the fight against violence and cervical cancer.
