DONATE

International Women’s Day

Each year on 8 March, we celebrate all the places where women are changing the world.

International Women’s Day is an annual event that celebrates women’s rights, promotes gender equality and honours the achievements of women worldwide.

Sightsavers works with partners across Africa and Asia to dismantle the barriers that prevent women and girls from accessing health care, while challenging negative stereotypes. We also campaign so women and girls can exercise their right to get an education, go to work and vote.

Together, when we support one woman, it can create a ripple effect that impacts her life, family and community, now and in the future. She can create the change to transform her own life and the world.

A woman’s place is wherever she wants to be.

In 2023, we’re celebrating the multitude of places where women work, make a difference and thrive.

A woman of short stature signs paperwork at a table.

Sign our petition

Words are not enough – actions speak louder. We’re calling on governments to uphold disability rights for women and girls.

Visit our campaigns site
Sightsavers board member Abia Akram, who uses a wheelchair.

A woman’s place is in the fight for rights

Sightsavers board member Abia Akram, who uses a wheelchair.
“Women with disabilities can try to change the whole system. It won’t be possible in one day and we can’t wait. Change will come, but you have to do something to bring that visibility.”
Abia Akram
Sightsavers board member

Did you know?

Women with disabilities are three times more likely to not get the health care they need, compared to men without disabilities.

Sightsavers CEO Caroline Harper

A woman’s place is at the helm

Sightsavers CEO Caroline Harper
“I’m very proud to lead Sightsavers. We’ve got a lot of really strong women right across the organisation and all the different countries, and you know, more power to them.”
Caroline Harper
Sightsavers chief executive

Did you know?

In 2022, women ran 4.8% of the world’s largest companies by revenue. Just 24 of the CEOs of these companies were women.

Ophthalmologist Gladys Atto

A woman’s place is in the community

Ophthalmologist Gladys Atto
“Women need to be continuously empowered with adequate knowledge about health and what inclusion means to enable them to make the right decisions concerning their health.”
Gladys Atto
Ophthalmologist

Did you know?

Women are more likely to be blind or have a visual impairment and are up to four times as likely to develop advanced trachoma than men.

Joy Shu’aibu, Sightsavers’ director of programme operations in Nigeria

A woman’s place is in the lead

Joy Shu’aibu, Sightsavers’ director of programme operations in Nigeria
“As a woman and a leader, I see the responsibility to help other women step up and take on leadership roles. If women are given the chance, they can make a world of difference.”
Joy Shu’aibu
Sightsavers director of programme operations, Nigeria

Did you know?

Women with disabilities are three times more likely to be illiterate and two times less likely to be employed than men with disabilities.

Sumrana Yasmin, Sightsavers’ deputy technical director for eye health

A woman’s place is at the cutting edge

Sumrana Yasmin, Sightsavers’ deputy technical director for eye health
“Collective action is what we need. Collective action to change this world for our girls and women. And we need to be in this together.”
Sumrana Yasmin
Sightsavers deputy technical director for eye health

Did you know?

75% of primary-school-age children who may never set foot in school are girls. And women account for almost 67% of adults who are unable to read.

Help us fight for the rights of women and girls

DONATE