top of page

Protecting Her Future with One Dose

HPV Vaccination for Every Girl

Donor

Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance

Project Overview

Protecting Her Future with One Dose is a flagship HPV vaccination campaign implemented by Dopasi Foundation to support the introduction and scale-up of HPV vaccination for adolescent girls in Pakistan. Implemented in the Islamabad Capital Territory, the campaign addresses one of the most preventable yet under-addressed causes of cancer among women: cervical cancer.

The initiative is designed to ensure that every eligible girl, regardless of schooling status or socioeconomic background, has access to accurate information and safe vaccination services. With a strong equity lens, the campaign prioritizes girls who are often missed by conventional delivery platforms, particularly those who are out of school.

By combining community awareness, advocacy, health system readiness, and culturally resonant communication, the campaign strengthens public confidence in the HPV vaccine while supporting government-led efforts to integrate HPV vaccination into routine immunization.

Campaign Goal

To build sustained demand for HPV vaccination and support the Government of Pakistan in achieving over 80% HPV vaccine coverage among girls aged 9–14 years in Islamabad, with a strong emphasis on equity, gender sensitivity, and inclusion of hard-to-reach populations.

Project Coverage

The campaign covers all 80 Union Councils of the Islamabad Capital Territory, ensuring geographic equity and inclusive reach across urban, peri-urban, and underserved communities.

Campaign Approach

1. Creating Community Awareness

The campaign raises awareness among communities across Islamabad about:

  • HPV and its link to cervical cancer

  • The safety and effectiveness of the HPV vaccine

  • The importance of vaccinating girls before exposure

Awareness activities are designed to normalize conversations around cervical cancer prevention and to address misconceptions through culturally appropriate messaging.

2. Advocacy for HPV Introduction into Routine Immunization

Dopasi Foundation undertakes strategic advocacy to support the national rollout and routinization of HPV vaccination by:

  • Engaging policymakers, women parliamentarians, and senior government stakeholders

  • Coordinating with EPI, the Department of Health, and development partners

  • Building consensus around HPV vaccination as a public health priority

This advocacy strengthens political commitment and lays the groundwork for long-term sustainability.

3. Preparing Healthcare Providers

The campaign strengthens health system readiness by orienting public and private sector healthcare providers on:

  • HPV vaccine eligibility, safety, and administration

  • Counseling adolescents and caregivers

  • Addressing community concerns with accurate, evidence-based information

Well-informed providers serve as trusted sources of guidance for families and communities.

Achievements to Date

Through its multi-layered approach, Dopasi Foundation has achieved the following milestones:

  1. Engaged women parliamentarians as champions for cervical cancer elimination, strengthening high-level advocacy and political commitment for HPV vaccination.

  2. Conducted advocacy seminars with health professionals in public and private hospitals to improve accurate messaging and referral support.

  3. Mobilized social media influencers to counter misinformation and debunk negative narratives around HPV vaccination circulating on digital platforms.

  4. Introduced the culturally resonant mascot “Super Ammi” to simplify HPV messaging, promote parental acceptance, and encourage vaccination of adolescent girls.

  5. Actively engaged community-level influencers and notable figures to build trust and increase acceptance at the grassroots level.

  6. Established strong linkages with both private and public schools to support school-based awareness sessions and facilitate access to eligible adolescents.

  7. Developed and disseminated context-specific IEC materials to improve knowledge about HPV, cervical cancer prevention, and vaccine safety.

  8. Set up information desks at strategic locations to provide on-the-spot counseling, address parental concerns, and guide families toward vaccination services.

  9. Utilized mobile miking as a community outreach tool to amplify HPV vaccination messages in high-footfall and underserved areas.

  10. Supported vaccination camps through strengthened community mobilization, demand generation, and coordination with service delivery teams.

  11. Engaged formal and informal religious schools (Madaris) to ensure inclusion of hard-to-reach populations and address cultural or religious concerns.

  12. Produced and disseminated podcasts to sustain HPV awareness, normalize dialogue on cervical cancer prevention, and reach wider audiences.

  13. Leveraged FM radio announcements to broadcast consistent, localized HPV vaccination messages across Islamabad.

  14. Supported the vaccination of 52,126 eligible girls during the HPV campaign.

  15. Initiated steps toward routinization of HPV vaccination efforts in coordination with FDI and the District Health Office to ensure continuity beyond the campaign phase.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Covered

This campaign contributes to the following SDGs:

  • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being
     Preventing cervical cancer through expanded access to HPV vaccination.

  • SDG 5: Gender Equality
     Protecting adolescent girls’ health and promoting gender-responsive health services.

  • SDG 4: Quality Education
     Engaging schools as platforms for health awareness and preventive care.

  • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
     Prioritizing out-of-school and hard-to-reach girls often excluded from routine services.

  • SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
     Strengthening collaboration with government institutions, donors, media, and civil society.

bottom of page