International Women’s Day
Join us on 8 March and help us #BreakTheBias in society that prevents women and girls from fulfilling their potential.
International Women’s Day is an annual event that celebrates women’s rights, promotes gender equality and honours the achievements of women worldwide.
The day isn’t affiliated with a single group: each year, global governments, businesses, charities and women’s organisations come together to organise worldwide events including marches, talks, rallies and more.
The theme for International Women’s Day in 2022 is #BreakTheBias: a call for a world free from stereotypes and discrimination, where difference is celebrated.
At Sightsavers, all our programmes take gender into consideration and we campaign for a world free from disability and discrimination, particularly for women and girls who may face high levels of marginalisation.
We all have a part to play in breaking the bias and creating a more equal world. Make sure women aren’t left behind by making a donation or joining our campaign.
Strike the pose: join in on social media
Help us #BreakTheBias: take a selfie crossing your arms to show solidarity, then tag and share to spread the word.
How to get involved
Why is International Women’s Day important?
Women are more likely to be blind or have visual impairment than men, and have poorer access to eye care services. Nearly half of all visual impairment could have been avoided, but 24 million women are blind and 163 million women have a moderate to severe visual impairment.
Women are up to four times as likely to develop advanced trachoma than men, and are nearly twice as likely to be blinded by this excruciating disease. Women are often the primary caregivers, which puts them at greater risk of catching the trachoma infection from their children, or passing it on to them.
Women with disabilities are three times more likely to have unmet needs for health care when compared to men without disabilities. They are also three times more likely to be illiterate and two times less likely to be employed. Among those employed, women with disabilities are two times less likely to work as legislators, senior officials or managers.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. Together we can fight for women’s equality worldwide and #BreaktheBias.
Join our campaign
Our Equal World campaign makes sure women and girls with disabilities aren’t left behind.
About the campaignMeet the women helping to #BreakTheBias
“As a woman, you’re always trying to prove that you belong”
As Sierra Leone’s first female ophthalmologist and head of national eye care, Dr Jalikatu Mustapha is challenging stereotypes and blazing a trail for women in medicine.
Read Dr Jalikatu’s story
“Women can go further than they are made to believe”
In Benin and Togo, entomologist Pelagie Boko-Collins is laying the foundations for more women to lead in the fight against neglected tropical diseases.
Read Pelagie’s story
“Every day is women’s day when you cherish women’s dignity”
Asma manages Sightsavers’ inclusive eye health project in Bangladesh and Pakistan, which is breaking down the barriers women face when accessing eye care services.
Read Asma’s story
“We train disabled women to give them courage to participate in politics”
Pascaline Mekati Matoko, the founder of Deaf Rights Cameroon Association, is passionate about promoting the rights of girls and women with disabilities.
Read Pascaline’s story on our campaigns website
Help us fight for the rights of women and girls
DONATE