Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable yet persistent cancers among women in the world. In South Asia, India alone records more than 127,000 new cervical cancer cases annually, while Bangladesh records about 12,000 cases annually. In Sri Lanka, cervical cancer is the third most common cancer among women.
Infection with the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is usually the cause of most cervical cancers. The virus is mostly transmitted through unprotected sexual activity, including vaginal, anal or oral sex, or by sharing sex toys. Evidence shows that the HPV vaccine helps protect people from HPV-related cancers, including cervical cancer. It is a safe, effective and long-lasting protection against cervical cancer. The vaccine is part of preventive measures against cervical cancer and is recommended to be taken for optimal protection between 9-14 years. Above the age of 15 and to 26 years, three doses of the vaccine are needed for full protection.
South Asia accounts for nearly a quarter of the global recorded cases of cervical cancer. However, the uptake of the HPV vaccine seems limited in the region. In 2010, Bhutan led the way by becoming the first low-income country in the world to implement a national HPV vaccination program. Both Bhutan and Sri Lanka now have made notable progress with school-based immunisation programs. Maldives has also introduced national HPV immunization campaigns. To reduce the high prevalence of cervical cancers, the government of Bangladesh established a national cervical cancer screening program in 2005 for women aged 30-60 years and launched the final phase of its HPV vaccination campaign in 2024. In 2022, the Indian government announced the launch of an indigenous cervical cancer vaccine, Cervavac, however it still struggles with large-scale implementation as the HPV vaccine is not yet part of the national immunisation program. There is not enough valid data on cervical cancer prevalence, screening and prevention facilities in Afghanistan.
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The high cost and accessibility of the HPV vaccine is also a significant barrier. In countries like India and Nepal, where it is not yet included in national immunisation programs, families don’t end up prioritising the HPV vaccine for girls and young women in the household.

A large part of the resistance towards the HPV vaccine remains linked to the female sexuality and sexual health. Families often perceive the vaccine as an acknowledgment of potential sexual activity. Religious leaders can also sometimes discourage vaccination, as concerns about adolescent girls receiving the vaccine before marriage raises questions, despite the preventive effectiveness of the vaccine. The high cost and accessibility of the vaccine is also a significant barrier. In countries like India and Nepal, where it is not yet included in national immunisation programs, families don’t end up prioritising the HPV vaccine for girls and young women in the household.
Addressing these deeply rooted barriers, however, requires sustained community engagement. Partnering with religious and community leaders, health rights organisations to advocate for the HPV vaccine’s benefits as an effective preventive tool can help shift perceptions. Governments must also work toward making the vaccine more affordable and accessible, for instance, India’s introduction of the locally manufactured Cervavac vaccine, can reduce cost and scale up national immunisation. There is also a need to challenge the patriarchal decision-making around women’s health empowerment. The HPV vaccine is more than a preventive healthcare measure, it aids the bodily autonomy of women and girls, and places them at the centre of healthcare decision-making. By advocating for the HPV vaccine, we empower girls and young women the fundamental right to make informed choices about their own bodies and lead cancer-free lives.