GAS5 expression was decreased in cervical cancer tissues and cells.GAS5 overexpression suppressed cervical cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis. GAS5 was able to directly bind to miR-196a and miR-205 to downregulate their expression.Moreover, GAS5 induced forkhead box protein O1 and phosphatase and tensin homolog expression by repressing miR-196a and miR-205, respectively. Exogenous expression of GAS5 hindered tumor growth in vivo by downregulating miR-196a and miR-205. Upregulation of GAS5 suppressed cell proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis of cervical cancer cells by downregulating miR-196a and miR-205, contributing to our understanding the pathogenesis of cervical cancer and development of long non-coding RNA-mediated clinical therapy against this disease.