Working with women to improve child and community eye health

In the slums and rural areas of India, visual impairment, blindness, and childhood blindness are usually more prevalent. This article in Community Eye Health Journal argues that in order to improve the eye health of children and the community in these areas, it is important to understand the influence women and mothers have over children’s eye health and the eye health of the community as a whole. The article examines the social context and highlights how slums and rural areas, most families are poor. Women also tend to have lower levels of education, less financial independence, and lower social status than men. A cultural preference towards men and boys has resulted in women often have very little say in how family resources are allocated are less able to ensure that their children, daughters in particular, will receive the eye care they need. They also have less influence in community decisions that affect eye health.

In order to address this the author considers the importance of providing health education which women can use to improve their family’s eye health. In addition the document recommends providing literacy and vocational skills training to allow women to improve their financial independence and, as a result, their influence in family decisions. A list of further action points is provided which includes the involvement of key community leaders and representatives of self-help groups when designing projects to create awareness of eye care. Men must also not be excluded from these considerations.