Post by Orbis International

Today at #WomenDeliver, conversations on gender equity, health systems, and global partnership continued to build—and it was a clear reminder of how closely connected these issues are. We started the day with Orbis CEO & President Kathleen Sherwin joining a panel on Sexual & Reproductive Health and Rights and Development Justice, alongside global leaders including Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand. Kathleen spoke to a reality we see again and again in our work: the barriers women face in accessing eye care closely mirror those in SRHR—and in crisis settings, those gaps grow even wider. Too often, systems focus on survival alone, while missing the investments needed to support dignity, independence, and long-term opportunity. At Booth H16, we highlighted Orbis’s eye health work across Africa, hosting a mini discussion with partners from Seva Foundation, Sightsavers, and Orbis Zambia. The conversation centered on the challenges women face as eye health professionals in the region, and the vital role partnerships play in strengthening leadership, access, and long-term systems change. Throughout the day, we welcomed a steady stream of conference goers to the booth, opening up new conversations and helping more people understand a simple truth: when women can see, they can learn, work, and fully participate in life. We also connected with partners and advocates across the space—including FP2030, World Health Organization, the Gates Foundation, UN Women, OAFLAD, and International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF)—reinforcing the growing alignment around gender equity and the essential role eye health plays within it. Shelby Stonecipher, Lusungu N., Jennifer D. Tapia Boada, Clare Szalay Timbo, Lucia Mvula