Restoring Sight, Empowering Female Voices: Updates from Afghanistan and Colombia

HealthNet TPO's Eye Care Efforts in Afghanistan

Eye care is an integral part of the primary health system in Afghanistan, yet more than 400,000 people are blind and 1.5 million people are visually impaired, i.e., almost 2% of the Afghan population.

Cataracts is the leading cause of vision loss, accounting for 60% of all cases. Despite simply screening, detection and a 20-minute surgery being sufficient to avoid the visual impairment of cataracts, 92.5% of people having cataract are unable to receive treatment due to cost and accessibility. Rural and remote areas are the most restricted from accessing these essential services.

Recognising the urgent need to address preventable blindness, HealthNet TPO has been at the forefront of expanding eye care services, improving access for children, adults, and vulnerable communities across nine provinces. With support from The Fred Hollows Foundation, our teams have enhanced early screening, distributed essential eyewear, and provided life-changing treatments, including cataract surgeries through mobile health teams and the Kabul Medical Eye Hospital.

Since 2016, more than 6,500 people have received life-changing cataract surgery to restore their sight. More than 336,500 people have had their eyes screened, and 4,600 glasses have been distributed. We have trained more than 500 community health workers so they can recognise, diagnose and treat eye problems in their communities, creating sustainable changes toward ending avoidable blindness in Afghanistan.

To highlight these achievements and reinforce the importance of accessible eye care, HealthNet TPO organised a series of awareness events in Kabul and several provinces on October 10, 2024. These gatherings were not merely a celebration of World Sight Day but a call to action—emphasising the impact of our ongoing work and the need for sustained efforts to ensure no one suffers from avoidable blindness.

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence in Colombia

In a small theater in Bogotá, 24 women gathered, each carrying stories of resilience, pain, and strength.

These 24 women, all coming from diverse backgrounds, roles, and talents, joined us to address gender-based violence (GBV). Together, we created conversations that are critical, sensitive, and deeply rooted in Colombia's context.

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a pervasive human rights issue that affects millions of women and marginalised communities worldwide. GBV encompasses a wide range of harmful acts directed at individuals based on their gender identity. It includes physical, sexual, psychological, and economic violence, occurring in both private and public spheres.

Healing from GBV is not a linear process. Solidarity networks play a crucial role in helping survivors rebuild their lives. Many survivors push for policy changes that criminalise GBV and provide better protection for victims. Additionally, psychological support helps survivors process trauma and regain control over their lives.

"Without knowing each other, and without knowing what we were going to face, we trusted and embraced our stories." - Fabrina Acosta, a participant of the workshop.

The gathering was not just a moment but the start of a movement. From the raw, honest conversations emerged 16 short documentaries, set to be the foundation of an audiovisual campaign advocating for safer spaces for women and girls. These films, disseminated throughout the 16 Days Campaign against GBV, served as psychosocial tools, fostering violence prevention efforts in diverse territories and advocating for the creation of safe spaces for girls and women.

This campaign was made possible by HealthNet TPO Colombia and GOAL Global Latinoamerica with the support of Irish Aid , Embassy of The Netherlands in Colombia, Buen Ayre Visual, Casa E Borrero?and Ni Con El Pétalo De Una Rosa.?