Vision 2020 Celebrated World Sight Day, New Delhi

I know you might be expecting another update on MEC's eye care mela held at Dharavi. Though, for a change, I am taking you to the national celebration by VISION 2020 on 7th and 8th Oct, 2009 held at IDSA Auditorium, Institute of Defence Studies & Analysis, New Delhi. This year's WSD theme was “Gender & eye health – equal access to care”.

On 7th Oct, under session 2 on VISION 2020 INDIA member organizations’ Perspective and Experiences, Sightsavers representative Ms Shanthakumari Gopal from North East Area Office (Kolkatta) got the opprotunity to share the experiences of on gender issues. Her presentation
titled "Gender Inequity: Findings from research and experiential learning" started with case study followed by the concept of gender, its impact, facts and its correlation with eye health.

Some highlights from the presentation are as follows:

- On average, the rate cataracts are operated is 1.5 times higher for men than women
- Blind or visually impaired women may not seek examination and care because of cultural constraints, cost, Travel or lack of access to information
- When women are denied equal access to health services, education and employment they are less able to care for themselves and their family

Later in the evening a media meeting and dinner was organized with the brand ambassodor of VISION 2020, Ms Hema Malini.

While day 1 (7th Oct) witnessed a full day discourse on the theme of WSD, day 2 (8th Oct) called for a half day discussion on "Integrating eye health in the National Health
System – A Gender based perspective" under the chair of Dr G V S Murthy (AIIMS).