What is the name of your organization?
WOMEN'S COALITION AGAINST CANCER (WOCACA)
What is the name of your solution?
Survivors for Change
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
Survivor-led advocacy in Malawi: Empowering those with lived experience to drive cervical cancer elimination through community action and education.
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Lilongwe, Malawi
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
Malawi
What type of organization is your solution team?
Nonprofit
Film your elevator pitch.
What specific problem are you solving?
We are applying for this grant to address the critical gap in cervical cancer screening in Malawi, where coverage remains at only 40% despite having the world’s highest incidence (67.9/100,000) and mortality (51.5/100,000) rates. According to Globocan 2023, over 4,000 women are diagnosed annually, with approximately 2,905 deaths making cervical cancer the leading cause of cancer deaths among women aged 15–49. With 6.03 million women at risk, barriers such as limited access to healthcare, low health literacy, stigma, and fear continue to hinder early detection and treatment. These challenges often result in late diagnosis and poor health outcomes.
Through this grant, WOCACA aims to mobilize resources and accelerate the dissemination of information on HPV self-sampling in districts where testing kits are already available but where uptake among women and girls remains low. This targeted intervention will help address existing barriers by enhancing awareness, promoting privacy and autonomy, and strengthening community engagement in cervical cancer prevention. The grant will support efforts to generate evidence on effective demand-creation strategies that can inform national scale-up and guide similar initiatives in other high-burden settings.
What is your solution?
WOCACA will leverage technology to raise awareness and mobilize women for HPV self-sampling and cervical cancer screening through a combination of digital strategies tailored to low-resource settings. Social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, TikTok, and Instagram will be used to share educational videos, survivor testimonials, and infographics in local languages, while WhatsApp groups will serve as channels for sharing reminders, voice notes, and updates through trusted community figures. Bulk SMS and interactive voice response (IVR) systems will be utilized to send reminders and deliver pre-recorded messages in local languages, ensuring inclusivity for low-literacy populations. Local radio stations will air jingles, interviews, and drama segments, complemented by mobile vans equipped with loudspeakers broadcasting messages in remote areas. Posters with QR codes will allow users to access step-by-step guides or videos on self-sampling, internet-free access to information or nearby kit distribution points. Mobile data collection tools such as KoboToolbox or ODK will track kit distribution, gather feedback, and enable real-time monitoring for timely adjustments. Additionally, digital storytelling through video and audio testimonies from cervical cancer survivors will be shared via mobile and radio platforms to inspire and encourage other women to participate in screening.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
Our solution directly serves women of reproductive age (15–49 years) in Malawi, especially those in rural and underserved communities where access to cervical cancer screening is limited. These women often face multiple barriers such as long distances to health facilities, limited availability of screening services, stigma, fear of pelvic exams, and low awareness about cervical cancer. As a result, many are diagnosed at advanced stages, leading to poor health outcomes and high mortality.
By promoting both Community Based HPV Self Sampling and Health Facility Based HPV Self Sampling, our solution empowers women with a private, convenient, and non-invasive method to screen for cervical cancer. Women can collect samples at home or in their communities without needing to travel or undergo uncomfortable clinical procedures.
This solution will increase screening uptake, enable early detection, and reduce preventable deaths. It will also reduce the burden on health facilities while encouraging health-seeking behavior among women. Ultimately, it improves women’s health, autonomy, and quality of life contributing to gender equity and stronger, healthier communities.
