Tracoma, an infectious ocular disease, is more likely to cause blindness to women and girls in poor communities. But the attacks‘ The accelerate program is working to address this source of inequality.
Salamatu, a state farmer in Katsina in Nigeria, explains how the disease affected his daily life. «I would have an ardor feeling in my eyes, so I would ask my son to take it away. They would have a comb and lift my eyelids before taking out my eyelashes for me.»
Salamatu suffered in the advanced form of tracoma, which is called triciasis. This condition can cause permanent blindness if not. Women have up to four times more likely than men of being blinded by tracoma due to social and cultural factors.
Tracoma disproportionately affects women and girls due to their typical role as caregivers, which means that they are more exposed to bacteria that cause the condition. Women in some countries are also more difficult for them to obtain treatment, since religious and cultural practices make it difficult for them to travel away from home.
Salamatu had an operation to relieve their pain, but innumerable other women are still waiting. Sightsavers is working with the national health ministries to reach all women affected by the tracoma, through initiatives such as the accelerate program, in line with our broader Mission a promote Health equality.
