By Comfort Mphombo:
As Malawi and other countries commemorate International Women’s Day, the Women’s Coalition Against Cancer (WOCACA) has stressed the need for women to have easy access to quality healthcare services, including cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment, and palliative care.
Marked by prayers, debates, and peaceful demonstrations like big walks, the day recognizes the achievements, rights, and dignity of women and girls in Malawi and around the world.
Ahead of the March 8 commemorations, WOCACA executive director Maud Mwakasungula said in a statement that girls must have unlimited access to education and health information to empower them in protecting their wellbeing and making informed life decisions.
Mwakasungula added that women must be prioritized at decision-making tables. “Policies affecting health systems, community progress, and national priorities must always include women’s voices,” she said.
“Women living with cancer and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have valuable experiences that should shape health policies and programs. Their lived realities must be heard, respected, and included in national conversations about healthcare and development.”
She noted that the struggle for justice, equality, and dignity cannot succeed if women and girls continue facing discrimination, violence, and exclusion.
“Every society must recognize that protecting women’s rights is key to achieving sustainable development and social justice. It is also important to acknowledge that women living with cancer and other NCDs often face gender-based violence, stigma, and social isolation,” she said.
According to Mwakasungula, some women are abandoned by partners or families after diagnosis, while others are ridiculed, blamed, or treated unfairly—deepening the suffering of those already battling serious health conditions.
“As we commemorate the day, WOCACA calls on all stakeholders to renew their commitment to protecting and empowering women and girls. Supporting women is an act of justice and a foundation for national development,” she stated.
As an organization working to support people affected by cancer and other NCDs, WOCACA used this moment to highlight the plight of women and girls living with cancer and chronic illnesses.
“In Malawi and many parts of the world, women bear a heavy burden from diseases such as breast cancer, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, diabetes, and hypertension. Many face late diagnosis, limited treatment access, lack of screening services, and social stigma,” she noted.
Mwakasungula added that this year’s commemoration should remind Malawians that supporting women and girls matters more than ever: when women are healthy, families grow stronger, communities thrive, and the nation progresses.
Women’s Coalition Against Cancer (WOCACA) is a registered NGO established in 2013 to complement government efforts in fighting cancers and other NCDs in Malawi.
