Webinar on April 8, 2025: Trusted Voices: Engaging religious and community leaders to advance HPV vaccination

While significant progress has been made in preventing cervical cancer through HPV vaccination, uptake for the vaccine has been sub-optimal. According to evidence from the WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE), up to one-third of vaccine hesitancy can be attributed to contextual influences such as culture and religion. Widespread uptake of the vaccine will require understanding of factors that influence community vaccine acceptance and decisions. Local leaders, including religious authorities, have deep-rooted connections with their communities and can significantly influence them to make informed decisions about vaccination. This deep dive session aims to bring together religious leaders, community leaders, and cervical cancer experts to explore strategies to leverage community and faith networks to boost HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening uptake as part of broader sexual and reproductive health goals. By engaging these key figures, the session seeks to explore examples on how to engage faith-actors and community-based leaders on HPV vaccination — and share strategies, challenges, and tools to help them protect the health of their communities. 

PRESENTER: Fr. Charles Chilufya

Jesuit Priest and Executive Director Africa Health and Economic Transformation Initiative

Fr. Charlie is a Jesuit priest working for the Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar (JCAM) as director of the Justice and Ecology Office. Fr. Charlie also serves as Executive Director & Board Chair of the Africa Health and Economic Transformation Initiative (AHETI) a pan-African, faith-inspired initiative dedicated to equitable access to quality healthcare across the continent. AHETI is dedicated to a future where no African woman dies from a preventable disease like cervical cancer. By harnessing the power of faith-based leadership and community engagement, and underpinned by rigorous research and policy advocacy, Fr. Charlie aims to make significant strides towards increasing HPV vaccine uptake and saving lives across Africa.

PRESENTER: Ms. Benda Kithaka

Community Health Advocate, Founder and Executive Director of KILELE Health Association

Benda is the Founder and Executive Director of KILELE Health Association. She is a Health Advocate based in Kenya, with a background in Policy Advocacy, Health Systems Strengthening, Social Behavior Change Communications, and Community Mobilization. Her policy advocacy and social research work is focused on advancing survivorship and quality of life, as a critical tool for advocacy in the prevention and control of cancer and other non-communicable diseases. At KILELE Health, Benda leads a team of community-based advocacy champions who utilize their lived experiences as cancer survivors and/or caregivers to reduce stigma, inspire hope, and change mindsets. This is to influence uptake of primary and secondary prevention of women’s cancers, with a specific emphasis on cervical and breast cancers in Kenya.

PRESENTER: Her Excellency Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu

Paediatrician and Champion for Women’s Health

Dr. Bagudu, affectionately known as the mother of health in her hometown of Kebbi State, is a is a distinguished pediatrician, global health leader and champion for women’s health. A pioneer in Nigerian healthcare, she founded the Medicaid Cancer Foundation, driving awareness, prevention, and improved access to treatment. The foundation has raised over $2 million to address gaps in cancer care. As the former First Lady of Kebbi State, Dr. Bagudu leveraged her position to spearhead transformative healthcare initiatives, including the development of a comprehensive cancer control plan and the expansion of HPV vaccination for girls. Her advocacy extends globally through her roles in the Union for International Cancer Control and First Ladies Against Cancer. She also contributes to the advisory board of the Global Initiative Against HPV and Cervical Cancer (GIAHC) and coalition to strengthen the HPV community (CHIC).

MODERATOR: Dr. Karima Chiuri 

Consultant, Health and Nutrition Global Practice, World Bank Group 

Dr. Karima Chiuri is a global health specialist with a background in medicine and specialized training in non-communicable disease epidemiology. She is currently a consultant with the Health, Nutrition, and Population Global Practice, through the WBG Africa Fellow’s Program, supporting a host of cervical cancer prevention efforts across East and Southern Africa. Before joining the WBG, Karima has served in various research and professional roles across the continent, focusing on women’s health and cancer epidemiology. She holds a PhD and a Master’s in Global Health Science & Epidemiology from the University of Oxford, UK, as well as a Bachelor of Medicine & Surgery (MBChB) from the University of Nairobi, Kenya

MODERATOR: Dr. Lyvio Lin

Junior Professional Associate, Health and Nutrition Global Practice, World Bank Group 

Lyvio is a medical doctor specialized in public health, policies, and international development. He currently serves as Junior Professional Associate for the World Bank's Health, Nutrition, and Population Practice - East Africa.  He focuses on youth and innovative health initiatives. Prior, Lyvio worked within the French Ministry of Health's International Affairs, supporting health cooperation in overseas territories and managing European health projects. His experience extends to the field of epidemiology and health promotion in remote regions. Lyvio has published research on topics including thyroid cancer, palliative care, mental health and environmental health.