Lives in the Balance: How Poverty and Silence Are Killing Women in Asia

Published: 23th July ‘2025. the English Chronicle Desk.

the English Chronicle Online.

A serious health risk is becoming increasingly apparent among women in South and Southeast Asia, including Bangladesh—cervical cancer. According to recent data from the World Health Organization (WHO), this disease is the second leading cause of cancer-related death among women in Bangladesh. The number of women affected by this disease is increasing at an alarming rate not only in Bangladesh, but also throughout the region, including India, Nepal, Myanmar, and Pakistan. Behind this is a lack of awareness, limitations in vaccination programs, social prejudice, and a shortage of medical services.

According to experts, the main cause of cervical cancer is human papillomavirus or HPV infection, which is transmitted through sexual contact. In many cases, the infection of this virus remains silent in the body and gradually turns into cancer. Although the prevalence of this virus among women in Bangladesh is relatively high, most women do not know that they are at risk. Many ignore physical symptoms or delay seeking treatment due to shame and prejudice.

According to the Bangladesh Cancer Society, about 12,000 women in the country are affected by cervical cancer every year and about 7,000 women die from this disease. The Department of Health estimates that this number may be higher because many patients in remote areas of the country are not registered. The death rate from cervical cancer in South Asia is 12-17 per 100,000 women, while in the developed world this rate is only 2-3.

About 123,000 women are infected with the disease every year in India, and more than 67,000 women die from it. This region accounts for about one-third of cervical cancer cases worldwide. A 2024 report by the World Health Organization says that cervical cancer is responsible for about 20 percent of cancer-related deaths among women in Asia overall.

There are some other structural problems behind this worrying situation. Many women in Bangladesh still do not know that this disease is preventable. Although the HPV vaccine has been proven effective worldwide, the vaccination program is running on a limited scale. School-based vaccination started in 2023 under the government initiative, but it has not reached all areas of the country. Awareness and acceptance of this vaccine among rural and disadvantaged women is very low.

In addition, apathy in using screening methods—such as VIA (Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid) or Pap test—, financial problems, and lack of trained nurses or doctors have become major barriers to diagnosis. Most women seek treatment only when the disease reaches its final stages.

Experts say that the most effective way to detect and prevent cancer is to raise awareness, regular screening, and universal use of HPV vaccination. Educating women on this topic from school level, eliminating social prejudices, and implementing free vaccination programs at the community level is the need of the hour.

Cervical cancer is a disease that is preventable and completely curable if caught in the early stages. But a culture of giving importance to women’s health has not yet been developed in a country like Bangladesh. Society, the state, and the family must work together, respect women’s rights and health, and move forward through awareness-raising and health-friendly programs.

The time is now. Otherwise, hundreds of more women will die a silent, preventable death every day.. The time is now. Otherwise, hundreds of more women will die a silent, preventable death every day.

It is noteworthy that if the World Health Organization (WHO) and international development agencies were to take a more active and participatory approach to addressing this crisis, poor and vulnerable women in Asia, including Bangladesh, could overcome the financial crisis and receive the necessary vaccination, screening and treatment benefits. While the disease is currently on the verge of being eradicated in developed countries, women in the developing world still have to struggle with health, social and economic constraints.

If a comprehensive and long-term support program is implemented under the leadership of the World Health Organization, such as free distribution of HPV vaccines, funding for national screening programs, training of local health workers and technical assistance for cancer treatment centres, it is possible to save the lives of millions of women.

The fight against this disease is not just a health problem—it is a fight for women’s rights, dignity and future. The combined efforts of the World Health Organization, the United Nations, UNFPA and international donor agencies can be the most effective tool to overcome this darkness.

the English Chronicle Online.