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“Usually, men tell their wives not to go to hospital”

Caliha’s cataracts stopped her from working as a farmer, and without her family’s support, she struggled to access treatment. Through Sightsavers’ inclusive eye health project in Mozambique, Caliha was able to have an eye operation and is now earning a living again.

“In 2021, I started having trouble with both of my eyes, but I became totally blind in 2024.

“I used to gain my own income through farming and participate in community activities. Through these activities, I was able to save money and buy my own goods. Losing sight limited me to do my daily activities – I relied on my granddaughter for fetching water in the river, cooking and washing my clothes.

“I lacked information about the cure for cataracts. This misconception as well as the lack of family support delayed my decision to seek proper eye care from the hospital. I wanted to go to hospital, but I did not have support of my family. Sometimes when I told them to take me to hospital, they used to respond me rudely: ‘Do you have money for that? Do you have money? Money to go to hospital and come back, cover your meals and accommodation?’

It is common to deny support to women to access health care. It is difficult for them to take the decision to go to hospital.

Caliha covers her left eye while sitting in a room full of eye examination equipment.

“It is common [in my community] to deny support to women to access health. It is difficult for women to take the decision to go to hospital on themselves. Usually, men tell their wives not to go to hospital. They do not give permission to their wives because they lack the knowledge regarding the possibility of restoring their sight. Some do not let them go because they are jealous and afraid of being betrayed. If the husband decides not to let her go, she will not go.

“[One day] a young man (health volunteer) came to my home and he shared the cataract operation of his mother. After a screening held in my community, I was registered for surgery.

“The project vehicle came to take me to hospital in Nampula and I stayed there for almost three days. After the surgery, I realised that I could see again.

“I tell [others] to go get the treatment of their eyes; no payment is required from the patients. All the expenses are paid by the eye health project, this includes transportation, meals and accommodation.

“Now I can carry my 10 litres of water from the river. I can look for firewood. I can go to my farm to clean. I can cook my food on my own, and when I am cooking rice, I can see when it is about to burn. I am so thankful that I can see again.”

Now I can carry my 10 litres of water from the river. I can look for firewood. I can cook on my own.

Caliha prepares food outside with two children.

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“Usually, men tell their wives not to go to hospital”

Learn more about our work on women’s rights

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