Celebration of International Women Day 2011

Each year around the world, International Women's Day is celebrated on March 8. Hundreds of events occur not just on this day but thought March to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women. Organisations, govenments and women's groups around the world choose different themes ech year that reflect global and local gender issues.

Blindness is an increasing global health problem that afflicts approximately 50 million peoples two - thirds of whom are women, and ninety percent of whom live in poorer counteries. Of the people who are blind in the world today, 64% are femal. Women and girls do not access eye care services as often as men and boys.

Women need better access to eye care services. In many developing nations, eye care services for women are not on the health agenda. Health authorities in the national level need to recognize the existing gender differences in access to eye care services. This could be the first step to reducing the disparity in eye-care treatment for women.

Education and awareness about the causes of blindness must begin at the family level. Programs must be kick started at the district and community level as well. With respect to women, families and men folk must be educated about the significance of sight restoring operations / treatment for women, to help them get back their sight. Blind women cannot contribute to the well-being of the family with ease. Initially they will be tolerated and gradually find themselves becoming a liability to the family. With access to timely treatment women with impaired vision can bounce back and lead more fulfilling lives.

Nearly 90% of people who go blind are from the developing countries. The main causes of chronic blindness are glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, cataract, trachoma, and age-related macular degeneration. Children could face problems in their vision due to deficiency of Vitamin A.

Refractive errors account for about 5 million people with impaired vision. Many of them continue to suffer low vision as they are unable to afford spectacles. These can be remedied with timely optical correction.

International Women Day, which observed on March 8^th, 2011, seeks to be an 'eye-opener' of sorts with its theme 'Gender and Eye Health' to ensure gender equality in the access of eye care services, which is unfortunately not the case in the world today. There is also a need to step up focus on visual impairment, blindness and rehabilitation of victims in the light of community. As prime responsibility of focusing on eye care KBHB Eye Hospital is observing this women day by organising special Eye Check Up and awareness camp for women working in unorganised sector. The program was organised in association with SALAH organisation at Bhandup (E). In this program Standard Charted Bank volunteers worked very hard for the success of the program. 

Performance of the Camp -

Total no. of patients Screened and Examined            - 155

Total no. of Spectacles disbursed                                 -  75

Total no. of patients referred for the further treatment  - 35
Total no. of patients identified with Cataract surgery    - 20
Total no. of patients found normal during the camp      - 25