Globally, women comprise 70% of the health workforce and deliver essential services to nearly 5 billion people (WHO). However, only 25% of leadership positions in health are held by women (WHO), with disparities even more pronounced in ophthalmology.

In this field, women represent only 25-30% of ophthalmologists and are underrepresented in leadership roles with starting salaries showing a reported 10.3% pay gap compared to male colleagues.

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In Ghana though ophthalmic nurses and opticians are largely females, cadres like optometrists and ophthalmologists have low female representation.

Female ophthalmologists represent 44% of all practicing ophthalmologists, while female optometrists represent 29% of all optometrists.

There is also a glaring lack of representation in leadership roles. This imbalance restricts women’s contributions at the highest levels, despite their significant role in bringing unique perspectives and skills to eye healthcare
delivery.

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Women Leaders in Eye Health (WLEH), a partnership between Orbis International, Women in Ophthalmology and Seva Foundation, is a pioneering collaborative initiative uplifting woman across the ophthalmic space, through transformative leadership, mentorship, and strong global connections, helping to break down barriers to women’s advancement and promote inclusive eye care access for all.

Women Leaders in Eye Health (WLEH) brings like-minded, dedicated women together to create opportunities and find solutions to challenges. Acknowledging that eye health is not gender-neutral, Orbis International has committed to a gender transformative strategy, including our efforts with WLEH.

The meeting held on Saturday, August 16, 2025, highlighted initiatives such as mentorship programs and networking opportunities enable the growth and support to uplift women in the medical field.

It was held under the theme of “Mentorship, Breaking Barriers, Building Legacies”.

It aimed at uplifting women in eye health, strengthening their collective mission to deliver exceptional care and advance global eye health, in Ghana and beyond.

Meanwhile, watch the trailer to GhanaWeb’s yet-to-air documentary on teenage girls and how fish is stealing their futures below: