To reduce inequality in women’s access to ophthalmological services in the province of Inhambane, during the months of March and April, Eyes of the world carried out different activities, highlighting two actions organized in collaboration with the Men for Change Network (HOPEM).
On the one hand, participatory diagnostic sessions were held in the communities of the Inhambane, Maxixe, Massinga, Vilankulos, and Zavala districts, which brought together different groups (community leaders, members of school councils, people with visual disabilities, representatives of institutions, and district governments…) to analyze the vulnerability of women’s rights in access to ophthalmological services. 145 people (85 women and 60 men) between 19 and 79 years old participated. The objective was to study inequalities in women’s access to eye health care, addressing issues such as their rights or participation in decision-making.
And on the other hand, groups of men from different communities of Maxixe, Massinga, and Vilankulos were also mobilized to hold talks on positive masculinities and reflect on the inequalities between men and women in access, care, and treatment of eye diseases. This activity brought together 58 men between the ages of 19-71 and, in addition to eliminating sociocultural barriers regarding gender roles, it encouraged men to actively participate in improving the eye health of women and girls and to commit to involving other men in helping their peers in the same way.
These Eyes of Mozambique projects are financed by the ACCD (Catalan Agency for Development Cooperation).
