Cervical cancer can be prevented through vaccination and cured if diagnosed early. Yet it still kills more than 300,000 women worldwide each year.

Globally, only around 21% of women have had a vaccine against the human papillomavirus (HPV) that causes the disease.

In 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) set targets to vaccinate 90% of girls, screen 70% of women, and treat 90% of cervical diseases, aiming to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030.

Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) president, Dr. Panduleni Itula, recently concluded a grassroots regional tour, where he visited nine regions and over 300 villages.

Dr. Itula's visits were aimed at engaging with rural and urban communities to acquaint himself with the living standards and livelihoods of ordinary Namibians ahead of the 2024 presidential elections.

Dr. Panduleni Itula describes the experiences of those he met during his regional visits as 'depressing'.