Objective To explore the effect of LIMK1 on the progression of cervical cancer (CC). Methods HeLa and C-33A human cervical cancer cells overexpressing LIMK1 were established and injected subcutaneously into nude mice. The tumor volume was measured and expression of NOX2, NOX4, p-Src, p-RUNX3, RUNX3, and MMP-9 proteins in tumor cells was detected by Western blot assays. LIMK1-overexpressing HeLa and C-33A cells were cultured in 5% O2 with antioxidants. The protein expression of LIMK1, NOX4, p-Src, p-RUNX3, RUNX3 and MMP-9 in the cells was detected by Western blot assays. Cell migration was assessed by a scratch assay. Transwell assays were used to assess cell migration and invasion. A monoclonal proliferation assay was used to assess cell proliferation. Results The tumor volume in nude mice injected with LIMK1-overexpressing HeLa cells was increased significantly, and NOX2, NOX4, p-Src, pRUNX3 and MMP-9 protein levels were increased, while RUNX3 protein expression was decreased. In LIMK1-overexpressing HeLa and C-33A cells, the protein expression of LIMK1, NOX4, p-Src, p-RUNX3, and MMP-9 was increased, RUNX3 protein expression was decreased, and cell migration, invasion, and proliferation were increased. However, after adding antioxidants, the expression levels of NOX4, p-Src, p-RUNX3, RUNX3 and MMP-9 proteins, and cell migration, invasion, and proliferation were not different from those of control cells. Conclusions LIMK1 promotes the progression of cervical cancer by enhancing the ROS / Src pathway, thereby promoting the migration, invasion, and proliferation of cervical cancer cells.