International Women’s Day

Each year on 8 March, Sightsavers raises awareness about discrimination and how to make health care fairer for women.

A woman wearing blue medical scrubs looks solemnly at the camera.

International Women’s Day is an annual event that celebrates women’s rights, and calls for gender equality across the world.

Sightsavers fights for women’s rights by working with partners across Africa and Asia to dismantle the barriers that prevent women and girls from accessing health care. We also challenge negative stereotypes around disability, and campaign so women and girls can exercise their right to get an education, go to work and vote.

Worldwide, women don’t get the health care they need. This inequality increases their risk of disease, disability, gender-based violence and death. This is especially true for women and girls with disabilities.

When one woman is able to access essential health care, it can create a positive ripple effect that affects her life, her family and her community, both now and in the future. Your support can help us continue this vital work and take our inclusion projects to the next level.

To learn how you can support our work on women’s health, submit your details to download our information pack.

Thank you for submitting your details.

We’ll be in touch soon with stories about our life-changing work, plus ways for you to support Sightsavers and get involved.

Women don’t get sight-restoring surgery

Dr Moira Chinthambi, an ophthalmologist supported by Sightsavers, smiles at the camera. She is wearing blue scrubs and a blue hair net, and standing in front of a wooden wall.

“Women are the ones who look after everybody else, so when they are sick, they don’t have anyone else to bring them to the hospital.”

Dr Moira Chinthambi
Ophthalmologist, Malawi

Did you know?

Women are more likely to be blind or have a visual impairment and are up to four times as likely as men to develop advanced trachoma, an infectious eye disease.

Women don’t get health equity

“The first challenge for women in Pakistan is the patriarchal decision-making dynamic.”

Leena Ahmed
Sightsavers associate programme manager, Pakistan

Did you know?

Women with disabilities are three times less likely than men to get the health care they need.

Women don’t get reproductive care

“Women and girls are often sent away by health care providers simply because they have a disability.”

Amalie Quevedo
Sightsavers technical manager for sexual and reproductive health and rights

Did you know?

257 million women and girls around the world don’t have access to contraception.

Women don’t get essential treatment

“Before our study, many health workers had no idea what female genital schistosomiasis was.”

Omosefe Osinoiki
Research associate, Nigeria

Did you know?

In Africa, 56 million women suffer from female genital schistosomiasis.

To learn how to get involved, read our information pack

Download the pack

We protect sight, fight disease and make sure everyone can claim their rights.

Find out how your support can make a huge difference and change lives.

International Women’s Day

Each year on 8 March, Sightsavers raises awareness about discrimination and how to make health care fairer for women.