Towards a future free from HPV and cervical cancer in the MENA/EMR

Our Mission

Working primarily at the national and regional levels, EMNCDA’s mission is to take an integrated, population health approach to influence policies and practices that will help prevent NCDs. EMNCDA has three inter-related functions – advocacy, capacity building and mobilizing knowledge for action

Launched in 2018, the MENA Coalition for HPV Elimination has been a collaborative platform to advocate on a regional and national level for the necessary political and financial commitment to eliminate HPV-related cancers in the MENA/EM region.

Coalition members gathered on several occasions with key stakeholders in the region such as WHO EMRO to identify challenges in HPV and cervical cancer elimination efforts and discuss the way forward toward alleviating the related burden.

  • Advocate for a comprehensive approach to the prevention of cervical cancer and other HPV-related cancers in the region, including a free gender-neutral school-based HPV vaccination.
  • Foster communication among member and partner organizations to improve collaboration and share knowledge & best practices.
  • Share relevant resources and recent updates from the region and beyond for members to stay well-informed and equipped for advocacy purposes.
  • Monitor progress and build accountability among key regional stakeholders and decision-makers.
  • Cervical Cancer Day of Action  
  • Cervical Cancer Awareness Month 
  • World Cancer Day 
  • International HPV Awareness Day 
  • Supporting Regional Milestones 

Vision

Create Solutions that inspire action and build healthier lives, free of non-communicable diseases.

What is HPV?

HPV stands for Human Papillomavirus. It is a common sexually transmitted infection that affects both males and females. There are many different types of HPV, some of which can cause serious health problems, including cervical, anal, vaginal, vulvar, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers. Other types of HPV can cause genital warts

Cervical cancer is the 6th leading cancer among women in the region. Its incidence is expected to rise by around 82% by 2040, compared to 2020, in some countries in the region (e.g. Qatar). In 2020, more than 47,500 women across the region died due to this cancer. It is thus crucial to address this burden through comprehensive prevention strategies, including vaccination and screening programs.

Only six countries have introduced HPV vaccination into their National Immunization Programs (NIPs) so far, namely the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Libya, Kuwait, and Qatar.

The MENA Coalition for HPV Elimination is actively working to address the burden of HPV and cervical cancer in the region. Through collaborative advocacy efforts, the Coalition aims to raise awareness, promote comprehensive prevention strategies, and encourage policy changes in that sense. This includes advocating for the introduction of gender-neutral school-based HPV vaccination, fostering communication and collaboration among stakeholders, sharing resources, monitoring progress, and engaging decision-makers to prioritize HPV elimination efforts.

The Coalition welcomes individuals and organizations who share its vision and mission and are committed to eliminating HPV-related diseases in the region and beyond. You can get involved by: 

  • Joining our mailing list (Google Group)

  • Following us on social media (Facebook and Twitter)

  • Contacting us through the provided form for general inquiries or partnership requests

  • Regularly visiting our web page for updates

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