From 22 – 24 July 2012, SALC will be attending the 6thStop Cervical Cancer in Africa Conference (SCCA) hosted by the Forumof African First Ladies Against Breast & Cervical Cancer in Zambia.

SALC’s HIV Programme recently undertook research on the status of policies related to cervical cancer, as well as the availability of and access to prevention and treatment services in southern African countries, using Namibia and Zambia as case studies.

Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women in southern Africa where the negative impact of the disease is worsened by the high prevalence of HIV among women. Globally, more than 13 million women are infected with both HIV and the human papillomavirus, which causes cervical cancer. Yet services for these women in southern Africa are extremely limited, both in terms of finances and the science available.

The three day conference will focus on the theme:“A New Era in Cervical Cancer Prevention.” The Forum of African First Ladies whose objective is to reduce the burden of the disease by raising awareness through education is comprised of twelve African first ladies. The Forum has been campaigning for access to medical resources to protect women in Africa from fatal diseases through the previous SCCA conferences. So far the SCCA has increased visibility of cervical cancer in Africa through support from a variety of national and international stakeholders such as Ministers of Health, advocates and survivors. The conferences also facilitate the lobbying of African presidents and governments, parliaments and religious institutions for cultural and policy change.

This year’s conference will discuss a variety of topics including cervical cancer vaccines, the role of African speakers & parliamentarians in cervical cancer prevention and the burden of cervical cancer in Africa and in particular in Zambia. The conference has a panel of distinguished speakers which include the host, First Lady of Zambia Dr. Christine Kaseba-Sata, First Lady of South Africa Madame Tobeka Madiba-Zuma, the First Lady of Uganda Hon. Janet Museveni, and a number of distinguished  health practitioners.

For those in Lusaka, Zambia who are interested in attending the conference registration is still open and is free. The SCCA will be held at the Government Complex Conference Centre, Kamwala, Lusaka – Zambia.

For the conference programme please click here.