The Southerner, July 2025

Soroptimists promote cancer awareness in women

In a concerted effort to address the significant public health challenges posed by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the Soroptimist International National Association of Trinidad and Tobago (SITT) launched its Cervical Cancer Prevention Campaign under the theme “Let’s Be HPV Heroes. End Cervical Cancer. Get Vaccinated.” This initiative coincided with Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and the global Cervical Cancer Prevention Week.

Cervical cancer remains the third most common cancer among women in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean, despite being one of the most preventable.

The HPV vaccine, proven safe and effective, can prevent more than 90 per cent of HPV-related cancers when administered at the recommended ages.

SI T&T aims to contribute to the WHO’s international goal of eliminating cervical cancer by increasing vaccination rates. Countries with high HPV vaccination rates, such as Australia and the UK, have seen dramatic reductions in HPV infections and cervical and related cancer rates.

T&T, where vaccination rates currently stand at approximately only 12 per cent, needs significant progress.

This ongoing campaign seeks to increase awareness about the HPV vaccine, a critical tool in preventing cervical and other HPV-related cancers, and to promote vaccination among girls and boys aged 9 to 26 years.

As part of the campaign, there were interviews on all the major radio and television stations, with articles and interviews in the three main newspapers.

The Soroptimists appreciate their support and the opportunity to advocate for a positive change of attitude in the community.

In addition to traditional media, social media is being extensively used. Posts are regularly displayed on the Facebook pages of the seven clubs, and on the Soroptimist International of T&T page, which is managed by the National Association, their umbrella organisation. Posts are also being displayed on clubs’ Instagram accounts.

An engaging children’s graphic comic book titled HPV Heroes: Defenders of the Future was designed and printed by the Soroptimists. It targets young people, addressing common questions regarding the vaccine’s safety, effectiveness, and benefits while debunking persistent myths. It was launched at NALIS, and distributed to their branches. Copies are being sent to doctors’ offices and school libraries. It is also available as a flipbook on clubs’ Facebook pages.

Moving forward, Soroptimists are speaking to school PTAs, helping parents to understand the benefits of having their children receive the vaccine, which is free of charge in health centres. Clubs would be happy to receive invitations to address parents.

Complementing this HPV vaccination initiative, Soroptimist International Esperance conducted two community-based cancer screening and awareness events.

In October last year, a Cervical and Breast Cancer Awareness and Screening afternoon was hosted at St John’s Open Bible Church in St John’s Village as part of the Club’s Women’s Wellness initiative.

The event featured a presentation by Esperance Soroptimist Dr Shalini Gopeesingh, a family medical practitioner, who underscored the importance of a healthy lifestyle and regular screening in the prevention and early detection of both cervical and breast cancers.

In partnership with the Cancer Society of T&T, on-site breast examinations and cervical Pap smears were provided to 30 women, sponsored by the club. Participants commented on the clarity and practicality of the information presented.

From its inception, SI Esperance has created awareness of issues related to breast cancer every October through social and print media.

Further reinforcing these efforts, members attended a screening session at Pink Hibiscus Breast Health Specialists in Woodbrook.

The session provided recommended diagnostic practices such as breast ultrasounds for women under 40, and combined mammogram and ultrasound examinations for those 40 and over. It underscored the importance of monthly self-examinations in detecting early changes in breast tissue. A breast cancer survivor’s personal account during the event provided additional emphasis on the benefits of early detection and intervention.

Collectively, these initiatives represent a coordinated, multi-faceted approach to cancer prevention in women across T&T. Through education, community engagement, and the promotion of early intervention strategies, Soroptimist clubs are actively working to reduce the incidence of cervical and breast cancers and improve long-term health outcomes for the nation.

Soroptimists in T&T invite everyone to join the movement and become HPV Heroes. Whether by ensuring our children are vaccinated, encouraging family and friends to be screened or sharing educational materials, we can all play a part in the fight to end cervical and breast cancer in T&T.

Trinidad Guardian, Print and Digital, 6th April 2025

Soroptimist joins push for HPV vaccine

Soroptimist International Esperance sponsored on-site breast examinations and cervical pap smears for 30 women in collaboration with the Cancer Society. - — **Soroptimist International Esperance sponsored on-site breast examinations and cervical pap smears for 30 women in collaboration with the Cancer Society. –**

In an effort to address the health challenges posed by the human papillomavirus (HPV), the Soroptimist International National Association of TT (SITT) launched its cervical cancer prevention campaign under the theme, Let’s Be HPV Heroes. End Cervical Cancer. Get Vaccinated.Cervical cancer remains the third most common cancer among women in TT and the Caribbean, despite being one of the most preventable. The HPV vaccine can prevent more than 90 per cent of HPV-related cancers when administered at the recommended ages, a media release said.SITT said it aims to contribute to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) international goal of eliminating cervical cancer by increasing vaccination rates. Countries with high HPV vaccination rates, such as Australia and the UK, have seen reductions in infections and cancer rates. TT, where vaccination rates currently stand at approximately only 12 per cent, needs significant progress, the release said.Soroptimist’s ongoing campaign seeks to increase awareness about the HPV vaccine and to promote vaccination among girls and boys aged nine to 26 years. As part of the campaign, a children’s graphic comic book titled HPV Heroes: Defenders of the Future was designed and printed by the Soroptimists.

Among the participants at the launch of the HPV Heroes: Defenders of the Future comic at Nalis were Esperance Soroptimists Marilyn Lalla, left, National Association president Dennise Demming and Dr Shanti Mahabir. –

It targets young people, addressing common questions regarding the vaccine’s safety, effectiveness, and benefits while debunking persistent myths. It was launched at Nalis, and distributed to their branches, doctors’ offices and school libraries and is available as a flipbook on the club’s Facebook pages.

Moving forward, Soroptimist is speaking to school PTAs, helping parents to understand the benefits of having their children receive the free vaccine.

Soroptimist is inviting everyone to join the movement.

Newsday, Digital and Print, 2nd April, 2025

The Southerner, April 2025

**The Southerner Magazine, November 2022**

**Sunday Guardian Women’s Empowerment Page, August 2022**

**Guardian Women’s Page, 8th March 2022**

**The Southerner Magazine, November 2021**

Soroptimist International Esperance is immensely proud of winning this award. The club is less than 3 years old, but has worked tirelessly to improve all aspects of the lives of women and girls in rural south Trinidad. We thank the Federation Programme Action team for the recognition. We invite you to view our presentation prepared for the #SoroptimistLlandudno2021 Virtual Conference.

**Ursula de Castro of Soroptimist International Esperance was one of the 100+ women honored at the Soroptimist SIGBI Federation Conference.**

Trinidad Guardian Centennial Pullout Magazine

Soroptimist International targets food security, climate change

Monday 21st June 2021

**Two of our projects were featured in Soroptimists in the News on the SIGBI website. These are taken from Digital Newsday articles.**

**Trinidad Guardian, February 15th, 2021**

The Southerner, December 20202 — **The Southerner, December 2020**

**Trinidad Guardian, December 2nd, 2020**

DigiGirlz, Daily Express, June 30th, 2020 — **Daily Express, June 30th, 2020**

**SIGBI Facebook page, April 2nd, 2020. (sigbi.org/esperance/what-we-do-programme-action/orange-the-world-media-campaign/)**

**Trinidad Guardian, March 25th, 2020.**

**Trinidad Guardian, March 23rd, 2020.**

**Trinidad Guardian, October 23rd, 2019.**

**Trinidad Guardian October 16th, 2019**

**SIGBI Flickr ~ Soroptimists Think On it**

**From Soroptimist Int’l @ SoroptiTweet**

**Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts Facebook Page May 13th, 2019.**

Soroptimist International of the Caribbean Network ~ President’s Briefing ~ April 2019

**The March Photo of the Month award was announced on the Soroptimist SIGBI Facebook page.**

**A write-up about Soroptimist International Member Ursula de Castro was posted on the the Soroptimist International Caribbean Network website.**

**Trinidad Express, February 20th, 2019**

**Danse ad in Gulf View Weekly, Week Ending 17th March**

**Energy Now – A publication of the Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago – Jan 2019 issue**

**Trinidad Express Newspapers January 24th, 2019**

**Trinidad Express ~ December 28th, 2018**

**Trinidad Guardian ~ December 20th, 2018**

**Trinidad Guardian ~ December 19th, 2018**

**Trinidad Express ~ November 27th, 2018**

The Southerner ~ Nov-Dec Issue, 2018

Joan Rampersad

Men in pink promote breast cancer awareness

**Men in pink with the Soroptimist women outside Massy Stores in La Romain**

SOME members of the proposed Soroptimist Club Esperance partnered with the Land and Marine Contracting Services Ltd (LMCS), In Cor Tech, Eriu Pain Management and Massy Stores, La Romaine, to raise awareness of breast cancer with a Men in Pink event in San Fernando last Wednesday.

Marilyn Lalla, communications officer of the San Fernando-based club, said: “The purpose of this initiative was to raise eyebrows, interrupt conversations, cause questions and raise awareness in the close-out of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.”

She said part of the vision of the proposed club, which is expected to be chartered on December 9, is to focus more on the rural areas of TT. She said like all other Soroptimist clubs, while they all share the same vision, they will be placing more emphasis on women and girls, especially those in rural areas.

“We are trying to build awareness of breast cancer and also a need for greater research on the treatment for it. We also want women to know that it is very important to have regular checks for breast cancer because it is better to treat with it at an early stage than long after it is diagnosed.”

The staff of Massy Stores, La Romian.

On the day of the event, which was by and large a social media promotion awareness campaign, some members of the club, all dressed in pink, went to speak with the workers of Massy Stores, who were also all dressed in pink, about breast cancer. After that they joined some ten men from LMCS, In Cor Tech and Eriu at the roundabout outside the store, which was decorated by Edoo’s with pink cut-out ribbons bearing the cancer awareness logo.

Lalla was particularly happy with the event, saying: “We got that support from the men and the attention of the public.”

Dr Catherine Ali of Eriu added: “The reason we went to Massy was that we were targeting businesses with large staff to give greater promotion on social media. We also got a lot of people stopping to get more information on what we were doing, so we were happy about that.”

Newsday ~ November 5th, 2018 (digital version)

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Soroptimist joins push for HPV vaccine

Men in pink promote breast cancer awareness

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