By 
JOHANNESBURG — As South Africa marks the 70th anniversary of the historic 1956 Women’s March under the theme “Empowered Women Empower The Nation,” the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has reported a significant stride forward in public health: a 29% increase in cervical cancer screening rates across the province.
According to official figures released by the department on Sunday, 198,611 women underwent cervical cancer screening during the 2025/26 financial year. This reflects an increase of 44,908 women compared to the 153,703 screened in 2024/25, signalling growing momentum in early detection efforts.
Cervical cancer remains one of the most pressing health threats to women across the continent. A March 2024 report by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa revealed that cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in sub-Saharan Africa. The region accounted for 23% of global cervical cancer deaths in 2022, with 18 of the 20 countries bearing the highest cervical cancer burden globally situated in the African region.
Despite these formidable statistics, public health experts emphasize that cervical cancer is largely preventable through Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and regular screening, and it is highly curable when detected early and treated promptly.
Awareness Drives and Targeted Interventions
The health department attributes the 29% surge in screenings to intensive awareness drives rolled out across all five Gauteng districts starting in the third quarter of the 2025/26 financial year. Among these, the West Rand recorded the greatest regional improvement, while Ekurhuleni has been earmarked for further targeted interventions to boost uptake.
Reflecting on the milestone, Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Faith Mazibuko, highlighted the connection between health access and women’s empowerment.
“The women of 1956 understood that progress begins when women stand up and act,” said MEC Mazibuko. “Seventy years later, we honour them by ensuring that women are empowered with information and access to services that can save their lives. Every woman who goes for screening is taking charge of her health, her future and the wellbeing of her family. The increase is encouraging, but our work will continue until every eligible woman understands the importance of screening and can access the service.”
To sustain this trajectory into the 2026/27 financial year, the GDoH plans to expand community education by training Ward-Based Primary Health Care Outreach Teams to conduct awareness drives directly during household visits.
Primary Prevention: The HPV Immunisation Push
The screening milestone complements Gauteng’s ongoing primary prevention strategy, which centers on a single-dose HPV vaccination campaign aimed at protecting young girls before exposure to high-risk HPV types.
During the 2025/26 implementation period, the province vaccinated 72,249 Grade-5 girls aged nine and older in public schools, alongside an additional 9,740 girls in independent schools. Health authorities continue to urge parents and caregivers to sign and return consent forms promptly so eligible learners do not miss this vital preventative intervention.
Screening Guidelines and Key Symptoms
Under the Gauteng Department of Health’s screening guidelines:
- HIV-negative women are eligible for screening at ages 30 and 50.
- Women living with HIV face a higher risk and are eligible for screening starting from age 20.
Health officials urge women not to wait for physical symptoms before scheduling a test, as early precancerous changes in the cervix rarely produce noticeable signs. However, women should seek immediate medical evaluation if they experience any of the following warning signs:
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding (including bleeding after sexual intercourse, between regular periods, or post-menopause)
- Unusually heavy or prolonged menstrual periods
- Unusual vaginal discharge
- Pain during sexual intercourse or persistent lower abdominal pain
As Women’s Day celebrations continue across the nation, health authorities are calling on women throughout Gauteng to prioritize their health and encourage peers, family, and community members to access screening services.
