A survivor-founded movement Teal Asia mobilizes communities across Malaysia through a week of action, partnership, and awareness.
To mark the first official World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day on 17 November, cervical cancer survivor and patient advocate Selina Yeop Jr launched Teal Asia, the country’s first peer-to-peer cervical cancer support movement, alongside a week-long series of activities across Malaysia.
Teal Asia was created to ensure that no woman faces cervical cancer alone. The movement focuses on education, peer support, and collaboration – helping communities better understand prevention, screening, and early detection, and encouraging women and families to seek timely care.
A week of action across communities
From 17–21 November, Teal Asia’s programme engaged a wide range of audiences through activities designed to meet people where they are, across workplaces, sports, community spaces, and creative platforms, while keeping cervical cancer prevention and care at the centre.
The week began with the official launch of Teal Asia, marking a public commitment to sustained survivor-led advocacy in Malaysia and setting the tone for collective action.
Teal Tuesday encouraged corporate solidarity, inviting workplaces and professional networks to wear teal as a visible sign of support for cervical cancer elimination and to help spark conversations about prevention and screening in everyday settings.
Community engagement continued through padel and pickleball charity tournaments, using sport to bring women and men together around health, well-being, and shared responsibility for prevention.
On Teal Thursday, an event titled “Men Matter Too” created space to engage male allies, recognizing the role men play as partners, family members, and advocates in supporting women’s health decisions and challenging stigma around cervical cancer.
The week concluded with a finale fashion showcase, featuring teal fashion designed by Selina Yeop Jr, using creativity and personal storytelling to broaden the reach of cervical cancer awareness and to celebrate resilience and survivor leadership.
Throughout the week, Kuala Lumpur landmarks were illuminated in teal, including Merdeka 118, one of the tallest buildings in the world, alongside other city sites linking local action to a growing global movement and serving as a powerful public signal of solidarity and hope.
Through these activities, Teal Asia raised approximately 60 000 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$ 15 000) in charitable donations and generated an estimated media reach valued at 1.5 million Malaysian Ringgit (over US$ 380 000), reflecting growing public engagement and awareness. This does not include additional donations made directly to Programme ROSE, inspired by advocacy and awareness raised through the week of action.
Survivor leadership as a catalyst for change
At the heart of the week’s activities was survivor leadership, with lived experience driving credible, sustained engagement and concrete action to promote HPV vaccination, screening, and early treatment.
Teal Asia’s work complements broader community-based initiatives such as Programme ROSE, which focuses on expanding access to HPV screening for underserved women. Together, these efforts help translate awareness into action, supporting women to access services and encouraging families and communities to play an active role in prevention.
By placing lived experience at the centre and fostering collaboration across communities, Teal Asia’s week of action reflected the spirit of World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day, recognizing the women and advocates whose daily efforts are making elimination possible.
Learn more
Learn about Programme ROSE and community-based screening efforts in Malaysia