Ensuring Gender Equitable, Disability Inclusive Eye Health Services

Project Officer at The Fred Hollows Foundation, Baby Naznin, talks about her work in the development sector and overcoming barriers and challenges to create impact.

1.Tell us about yourself.

My name is Baby Naznin, and I proudly hold the position of Project Officer at The Fred Hollows Foundation, an organization dedicated to transforming lives through accessible eye care. Before assuming my current role, I was fortunate to work as a temporary staff member at The Foundation, where I gained invaluable experience as a project coordinator. I have always strived to excel through hard work and dedication.

 At The Fred Hollows Foundation, I am deeply passionate about our mission to eliminate avoidable blindness and improve access to quality eye care for underserved populations in the Barishal Division of Bangladesh. This role allows me to engage directly with communities facing significant barriers to health services, and I am committed to advocating for those in need.

 As I progress on this fulfilling journey of service and advocacy, I am grateful for the chance to join The Fred Hollows Foundation. It enables me to play a role in driving meaningful change and positively impacting the lives of individuals who are often overlooked in the healthcare system. Each day presents an opportunity to make a difference, and I am honored to contribute to this vital cause.

 2.We would love to know what was your inspiration that led to you to entering the development. Landscape?

My journey into the realm of development has not been without its trials. Being a woman in this field has often meant confronting numerous challenges including systemic discrimination, pervasive stereotypes, and a glaring lack of representation for women in leadership roles. These obstacles sometimes felt insurmountable, but my unwavering passion for making a difference, coupled with a fierce determination, propelled me to push through and persevere.

 Today, I stand proud as a member of a diverse and vibrant community of changemakers—individuals from various backgrounds who have united in pursuit of a common goal: to foster a world that is not only more equitable but also just and sustainable. Each one of us brings unique perspectives and skills to the table, and together, we are cultivating innovative solutions that can address these deeply rooted issues. My ultimate aspiration is not merely to partake in this work, but to effect substantive and positive change that leaves a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals who are navigating the same challenges I have come to know all too well. I hope that through our collective efforts, we can illuminate pathways for those who are often left in the shadows and inspire future generations to continue the fight for equity and justice.

I have master’s in social work subject, then did fieldwork for 6 months, and from there got inspired to work in this sector. I think every woman should be self-reliant. I inspire women to speak up in all fields and to be confident in asserting their rights in the family.

3.How important is the role of women in the development sector?

In the realm of health, women contribute significantly to enhancing community well-being by leading health education campaigns, advocating for maternal and child health, and providing essential care services. Their influence in entrepreneurship is equally impactful, as women entrepreneurs create jobs, stimulate local economies, and bring unique perspectives and solutions to business challenges.

Furthermore, in social welfare, women are often the backbone of community support systems, working tirelessly to address issues such as poverty, violence, and inequality. By promoting awareness and implementing programs that benefit all members of society, they play a key role in building strong, resilient communities.

4.Tell us about your work at The Fred Hollows Foundation?

At The Foundation, my role centers on restoring sight and improving eye health for underserved communities in the Barishal Division. I support program management, advocacy, and partnerships to ensure providing sustainable and equitable access to quality eye care.

My role combines program management, advocacy, and technical support to create lasting impact in the fight against avoidable blindness.

I collaborate with partners to ensure gender-equitable and disability-inclusive eye health services, while also managing outreach programs in remote areas to provide critical screenings, diagnoses, and treatments for conditions like diabetic retinopathy. A significant part of my role involves coordinating with hospitals, local partners, and steering committees to share knowledge, best practices, and ensure effective program implementation. I oversee planning, monitoring, and reporting processes to align activities with program goals and sustainability targets.

Working at the Foundation has been incredibly rewarding as I witness firsthand the transformative impact of restoring sight—not just for the individual but for their families and communities.

5.You are the project lead for the Comprehensive Eye Care Project in Barishal which is funded by the Noor Dubai Foundation, tell us about the project and why is it important for the people in Barishal?

As the Project Lead for the Comprehensive Eye Care Project in Barishal, my responsibility is to ensure the project’s effectiveness in tackling the urgent eye health issues in the region. This initiative aims to deliver equitable, accessible, and sustainable eye care services to the residents of Barishal, where the rate of avoidable blindness and visual impairment poses a major public health concern. The project adopts a comprehensive approach to eye care, which encompasses the prevention, early detection, and treatment of eye disorders. Important activities include enhancing the capabilities of local healthcare systems, training eye care specialists, and increasing community awareness regarding the significance of eye health. Additionally, we aim to set up outreach programs to connect with remote and underserved communities that encounter challenges in accessing healthcare services.

The Noor Dubai Foundation has adopted a comprehensive approach to eye care, focusing on the early detection and treatment of various eye diseases, such as (adult and pediatric refractive errors and diabetic retinopathy). Especially, those women who could not afford to buy glasses and had to rely on help from others. Thanks to Noor Dubai, these women can now do their work, sew, educate their children, and read the Quran without needing anyone’s help. They receive free glasses. In addition, school champions and teachers have been trained to carry out screening and referrals themselves. It is a sustainable program.

6.One of your responsibilities is to address avoidable blindness by reducing gender inequality in eye health. Tell us more about that.

Addressing avoidable blindness by reducing gender inequality in eye health is a vital part of my role. Globally, women are disproportionately affected by blindness and visual impairment due to a combination of biological, social, and economic factors. This disparity is particularly evident in underserved communities, where women often face barriers such as limited access to healthcare, cultural norms, and financial constraints.

In my work, I focus on implementing strategies that ensure women have equitable access to eye care services. This includes designing gender-sensitive programs, conducting outreach in communities to raise awareness about the importance of eye health for women, and advocating for policies that prioritize their needs. We actively engage community leaders and stakeholders to challenge cultural stigmas and ensure women are encouraged to seek care.

Additionally, our projects often include specific initiatives such as providing free or subsidized surgeries for women, training female healthcare workers to serve as role models, and ensuring that facilities are accessible and welcoming to women and girls.

 7.What role do women play when it comes to policies in the development sector?

When women take part in developing policies, governments, organizations, and institutions can better identify and tackle gender inequalities. This participation helps empower women and leads to fairer development results for everyone. Additionally, including women in decision-making improves governance. It brings more diverse viewpoints, leading to policies that better reflect the needs of the community. By incorporating women’s perspectives, we can create more effective policies that benefit all members of society.

Project Officer at The Fred Hollows Foundation, Baby Naznin, talks about her work in the development sector and overcoming barriers and challenges to create impact.8.What are some of the most memorable moments working at the Fred Hollows Foundation?

 I have been working at The Fred Hollows Foundation for about 12 years now, even though I joined a new role on 1stAugust 2021. Having the opportunity to work at The Foundation, I have been able to reach out to beneficiaries with important healthcare services, Especially with important issues like eye healthcare.

One moment that stands out to me is when I was able to assist a man in my village named Abdul Kader, who was known as Mad Kader in the village. He faced various challenges like hearing loss, speech problems, mental imbalance, and leg problems. His wife is speechless and hearing impaired. He worked as a water supplier in a local shop, but cataracts in both eyes made it impossible for him to continue working and led to a difficult lifestyle. Before the surgery, his vision was very poor. I encouraged him to undergo cataract surgery at Ispahani Islamia Eye Hospital, and witnessing the joy in his eyes when he regained his sight was truly unforgettable. After his successful operation, he was able to live independently without needing assistance from anyone.

One of my standout experiences was participating in a community outreach program where we screened hundreds of people in a remote village. The overwhelming gratitude from the community, who often lack access to basic healthcare, was truly humbling and reinforced the critical importance of bringing eye care to those in need.

I’ve been deeply inspired by the dedication of the local healthcare workers we’ve trained. Witnessing their growth in confidence as they take the lead in providing quality eye care fills me with immense pride. Each of these moments fuels my drive to work towards The Foundation’s vision of a world where no one is needlessly blind.

Above all, it is a special moment when I work with local stakeholders, and they appreciate our foundation and my hard work.

  1. Any last words

As a Project Officer at The Foundation, I am delighted and encouraged to work faithfully with such a service.

My journey in international development has been incredibly rewarding, and I am deeply proud to contribute to Fred’s legacy of ending avoidable blindness. To anyone reading this, I’d encourage you to remember that even small actions can lead to meaningful change. Whether it’s advocating for equitable healthcare, supporting organizations like ours, or simply spreading awareness, we all have a role to play in creating a world where no one is needlessly blind.

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