LAHORE: (Sunday, March 09, 2025): In observance of International Women’s Day, the Society for Public Health Education, Research, and Engagement (SPHERE) at the Department of Public Health, University of the Punjab, in collaboration with UNICEF and the Primary & Secondary Healthcare Department, hosted a seminar on cervical cancer awareness and HPV vaccination. The event was held under the supervision of Dr. Noman, In-Charge of the Public Health Department, and brought together esteemed public health experts. Prof. Dr. Rubeena Zakar welcomed the distinguished guests and emphasized the urgent need for greater awareness about cervical cancer, the third most common cancer among women in Pakistan. She urged public health students to play an active role in advocacy and education. Dr. Samra Khurram, Director of EPI Punjab, highlighted the expansion of the immunization program, with the HPV vaccine soon to be included as the 13th vaccine. She stressed the need for a cancer registry and improved data collection systems to address high fatality rates, with two-thirds of affected women succumbing to the diseased. Khurram Mubeen Khan, Immunization Officer at UNICEF, reinforced WHO’s 2030 targets—90% HPV vaccination, 70% screening, and 90% treatment coverage—and highlighted challenges such as 1.1 million vaccine dropouts and 96,000 zero-dose children. He emphasized the role of academia in combating misinformation and promoting vaccination awareness. The seminar concluded with a closing speech by Dr. Tahira Mariam, who expressed gratitude to UNICEF Representative Mr. Aqeel and collaborating partners for their support in making this seminar a success. This was followed by souvenir distribution.