Malaysia Celebrates World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day with Survivor Initiatives

A survivor-founded movement, Teal Asia, mobilizes communities across Malaysia through a week of action, partnership, and awareness.

To mark the first official World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day on November 17, cervical cancer survivor and patient advocate Selina Yeop Jr launched Teal Asia, the country’s first peer-to-peer cervical cancer support movement, alongside a week-long series of activities across Malaysia.

Teal Asia was established to ensure that no woman confronts cervical cancer without support. The initiative emphasizes education, peer support, and collaboration, aiming to enhance community understanding of prevention, screening, and early detection. It also encourages women and their families to seek prompt medical care.

From November 17 to 21, Teal Asia's program reached a diverse audience through various activities aimed at connecting with individuals in their environments, including workplaces, sports, community spaces, and creative platforms, all while prioritizing cervical cancer prevention and care.

The week began with the official launch of Teal Asia, which signifies a public commitment to ongoing advocacy led by survivors in Malaysia and establishes the groundwork for collective action.

Teal Tuesday encouraged corporate solidarity, inviting workplaces and professional networks to wear teal as a visible sign of support for the elimination of cervical cancer and to help spark conversations about prevention and screening in everyday settings.

Community engagement continued through padel and pickleball charity tournaments, utilizing sports to unite women and men in the pursuit of health, well-being, and a collective commitment to prevention.

On Teal Thursday, an event called “Men Matter Too” provided an opportunity to involve male allies, acknowledging the important role that men have as partners, family members, and advocates in supporting women's health choices and confronting the stigma surrounding cervical cancer.

The week concluded with a final fashion showcase, featuring teal-themed garments designed by Selina Yeop Jr. Through creativity and personal storytelling, the event aimed to enhance awareness of cervical cancer while celebrating resilience and the leadership of survivors.

Throughout the week, Kuala Lumpur landmarks were illuminated in teal, including Merdeka 118, one of the tallest buildings in the world, along with other city sites that connect local actions to a burgeoning global movement, serving as a powerful public signal of solidarity and hope.

Through these activities, Teal Asia raised approximately 60,000 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$15,000) in charitable donations and generated an estimated media reach valued at 1.5 million Malaysian Ringgit (over US$380,000), reflecting a growing public engagement and awareness. This does not include additional donations made directly to Programme ROSE, inspired by the advocacy and awareness raised during the week of action.

At the core of the week's activities was survivor leadership, where personal experiences led to credible and ongoing engagement, as well as tangible actions to encourage HPV vaccination, screening, and early treatment.

Teal Asia’s work complements broader community-based initiatives such as Programme ROSE, which focuses on expanding access to HPV screening for underserved women. Together, these efforts help translate awareness into action, supporting women in accessing services and encouraging families and communities to take an active role in prevention.

By placing lived experience at the center and fostering collaboration across communities, Teal Asia’s week of action embodied the spirit of World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day, honoring the women and advocates whose daily efforts are paving the way for elimination.

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Programme ROSE (Reducing Obstetric and Neonatal Deaths) is a significant initiative in Malaysia that focuses on enhancing maternal and child health outcomes. It aims to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates through community-based screening and interventions. The programme emphasizes early detection and prevention of health issues by engaging local communities in health education and awareness initiatives. This is achieved through screening efforts that target high-risk groups, such as pregnant women and infants, enabling timely access to healthcare services. Community health workers play a vital role in this programme by facilitating screenings, providing essential health information, and encouraging attendance at healthcare facilities for follow-ups. The approach fosters collaboration between healthcare providers and communities, ultimately aiming to improve health literacy and empower individuals to take charge of their health. In summary, Programme ROSE is a proactive effort in Malaysia to address maternal and neonatal health challenges through community engagement and screening, ensuring that vulnerable populations receive the necessary support and care.