Women Empowerment Spotlight: iCare Health Hub Hosts First Free Cervical Cancer Screening for IAIG's Female Employees in Partnership with PAVE

The I Apparel International Group (IAIG) has always upheld the principles of women's empowerment since it opened its doors in the world of apparel. From the inception of its business operations, the company's workforce has always comprised a sizable number of talented and hardworking women employees - some of them are currently holding high-ranking positions in the company. All of IAIG's female employees enjoy equal opportunities in terms of career advancement, education, healthcare, remuneration, company perks and benefits, and a safe and inclusive workplace.

In September 2023, the company's commitment to the third principle of women's empowerment - to ensure the health, well-being, and safety of all workers - took the spotlight. For the first time since its launching in December 2022, the iCare Health Hub, one of the projects of IAIG's social foundation, the iCare Community Support Organization (iCCS), has hosted a free cervical cancer screening for all the qualified female employees of IAIG. The iCCS invited female employees to participate in the medical event, provided that they are not under 25 or over 49 years of age, pregnant, diagnosed with existing cysts or another critical disease, undergoing cervical cancer treatment within the past five years, and did not undergo cervical cancer screening within the last five years.

The initiative became possible through the social foundation's partnership with PAVE. It aims to shed light on cervical cancer as one of Cambodia's pressing health crises. On top of this, the goal is to help lessen the annual cases and mortality rate of this life-threatening illness with early diagnosis and proper medical intervention.

A journal published at the United States National Library of Medicine mentioned that Cambodia's Ministry of Health added cervical cancer as a priority in its National Health Strategic Plan for 2016 to 2020.

"Cambodia has recently elevated itself to the level of a lower-to-middle-income country. However, its healthcare system has not kept pace; there is almost no concept of disease prevention. Consequently, a system for cervical cancer prevention has yet to be established. As a result, cervical cancer is the most common cancer in Cambodian women," the paper reads.

The HPV Information Centre also reported in March 2023 that around 1,135 women in Cambodia are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and an average of 643 individuals die from the disease yearly.

Hence, the free cervical cancer screening led by the iCCS and PAVE has been a timely and significant contribution to the efforts of society to empower women by giving them access to proper healthcare. Armed with good health, these women will be able to continue playing a crucial role not only for themselves and their families but also for the economy through their hard work and dedication to their chosen careers.

The results of the medical exam have been favorable so far; none of the participants were diagnosed or have shown symptoms of the disease.