Please join us for a special online seminar where we bring together key voices from women in the Pacific region who are working with their communities to increase prevention, screening and treatment for cervical cancer. These inspiring women leaders will share stories about how they have developed their work from the ground up.
Rates of cervical cancer in the Pacific are among the highest in the world, according to the World Health Organization, with Pacific women up to 14 times more likely to die from cervical cancer than women in Australia.
Inspired by this year’s International Women's Day theme, “March Forward,” our event spotlights how these leaders are advancing efforts to eliminate cervical cancer in their communities. We’ll hear firsthand about the innovative strategies they’re using to break down barriers and empower women to take charge of their health.
Speakers
| Ms Jossie Gabuzzi Jossie is from Madang Province in Papua New Guinea and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree as a Health Extension Officer from Divine Word University. She has worked in the non-profit sector coordinating tuberculosis, malaria and STI/HIV projects across Papua New Guinea, as well as at the Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research coordinating cervical cancer research projects from pap smear, cryotherapy and HPV in partnership with Kirby Institute, UNSW. | |
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| Dr Margaret Tarere Margaret graduated from Fiji National University in 2019. She loves working with women, covering preventative and curative health for them and their families. Margaret has worked with the Ministry of Health as a Program Facilitator in addressing and promoting Family Planning in Vanuatu; Program Facilitator for Essential Early Newborn Care and Gender-based Violence working in collaboration with UNFPA and spotlight initiative in country; and Facilitator for Basic Emergency Obstetrics and Newborn Care that supports the implementation of the Minimally Invasive Service Package for sexual and reproductive health during an emergency or disaster respond and recovery. | |
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| Dr Paula Zzferio Paula is the only Obstetrician Gynaecologist working in New Ireland Province, PNG with an estimated population of 230,000–240,000. She has been working in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G) Division for 14 years in different hospitals across the country. Currently, she is also performing as the acting Chief Medical Officer for Kavieng Provincial Hospital. Paula attained her Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery degree from the University Of Papua New Guinea, and also a Diploma and Master in O&G. She is a RANZCOG Associate Member and a member of the PNG O&G Society and Pacific Society of Reproductive Health. The biggest achievement of her career was advocating towards and leading the establishment of the “HPV Point of Care Testing and Treatment” Service for New Ireland Province. | |
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| Dr Nanise Sikiti Nanise holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery and a Master’s Degree in Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Additionally, she has completed a Fellowship in Gynaecologic Oncology through the International Gynaecologic Cancer Society, specialising in gynaecologic cancer care. Nanise is a board member of the Pacific Society of Reproductive Health and Associate Member of the Australian Society of Gynaecological Oncology, the International Gynaecologic Cancer Society. Passionate about women’s health, she is dedicated to advancing gynaecologic oncology services in Fiji and the Pacific. Her vision is to see the elimination of cervical cancer in the region—an entirely preventable disease that continues to burden Pacific Island nations. |
Chair
| Mrs Vanessa Price Vanessa is experienced in managing complex multi-stakeholder programs in Australian and international settings. She focuses on building strong collaborative relationships and supporting the leadership of in-country partners to improve program outcomes. |
#IWD2025 #MarchForward | Learn more about International Women's Day
#OneLessWorry | Learn more about International HPV Awareness Day
Opinions expressed in the Kirby Institute Seminar Series are solely those of the speaker and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Kirby Institute or UNSW.