International Women’s Day

Each year on 8 March, we celebrate women who are achieving their goals, claiming their rights and changing the world.

A woman wearing a pink chador smiles while looking away from the camera.

Your donation can help us support and empower women

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Every International Women’s Day is an opportunity to promote gender equality and share the stories of women around the world.

Women, particularly women with disabilities, often face significant inequality and discrimination when it comes to claiming their human rights.

In the countries where we work, women are less likely to have gained an education than their peers, less likely to have access to healthcare, more likely to be affected by neglected tropical diseases and vision impairment, and more likely to experience abuse and sexual violence. Our programmes address this inequality, helping women to realise their potential.

Hussaina, Knighty, Ivânia and Aminata are living proof of the transformative change that’s possible when women can claim their rights. Read their stories below.

Meet four women and girls we’ve supported

A woman wearing a black chador smiles while sitting on a sofa.

Hussaina learned about family planning

“I learned that you have to be tested to find the one best suited: pills, injections… you could choose. After I was enlightened, I realised it’s safe.”

A woman smiles broadly while sitting at a sewing machine. Behind her, a man is inspecting a piece of fabric.

Knighty started her own business

“The training changed my life because now people living without disability come and ask help from me, and those that used to talk ill about me no longer do.”

A girl wearing red glasses stands in front of a brick wall.

Ivânia was given glasses to help her see

“For a long time, I was labelled or nicknamed as the one who couldn’t see. Now that name’s been taken away. I have glasses, it’s a very impactful thing. It’s a very happy thing!”

A woman wearing a pink patterned headwrap and gold earrings. Behind her, there are chickens in a cage.

Aminata had surgery to treat her eyes

“The operation relieved my pain. Before, it was painful and I couldn’t do any work. Now I am back to work at the market to carry on my daily activities.”

Accessibility is a fundamental right,
not a ‘nice to have’

Sightsavers’ global advocacy manager for social inclusion, Getty Oforiwa Fefoame, explains why we’re mentoring women with disabilities in Ghana to become confident leaders.

Read Getty’s blog

How can you take action?

A woman with a physical disability sits in a motorised wheelchair.

Support our campaigns

Our campaign work calls for disability rights to be upheld worldwide, and makes sure that women and girls aren’t left behind.

Achiwa sits outside her home with her great granddaughter Shameem.

Make a donation

Your donation can help prevent blindness and create a brighter future for women and girls living in poverty in Africa and Asia.

Learn about our work

Explore our infographic to see where we work, what we do and how we help to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

You can help us fight for the rights of women and girls