Women Deliver 2026: “Mini Coffee Hour” Conversations that Connected, Inspired, and Moved Us Forward

By Clare Szalay Timbo
‍
‍At this year’s Women Deliver Conference in April 2026, the energy was undeniable: busy corridors, powerful conversations, and a shared commitment to advancing gender equality globally. Amid it all, the Orbis booth became a space for connection and reflection, where we hosted a series of informal “mini Coffee Hour” discussions bringing together partners and colleagues from across the eye health sector.

Each day focused on a different region or theme, allowing us to spotlight diverse perspectives and experiences:

Day 1: Latin America and the Caribbean
Day 2: Supporting Women Leaders in Eye Health (WLEH)
Day 3: Africa
Day 4: Asia and the Pacific
‍
Though brief, these sessions were rich with insight. They created space to share what’s working, highlight ongoing efforts, and—perhaps most importantly—learn from one another across regions and organizations.
‍

What we heard

Across all four days, one message stood out: there is incredible momentum globally to advance gender equity in eye health. From community outreach to leadership development, organizations are actively embedding gender-responsive—and increasingly gender-transformative—approaches into their work. At the same time, there was a shared recognition that deeper collaboration and stronger alignment across partners will be key to scaling this impact.

‍

Regional Reflections

Latin America and the Caribbean
Our first discussion brought together voices from Orbis, IAPB, and Seva Foundation. Speakers shared practical examples of how gender equity is being strengthened across clinical teams, training programs, organizational systems, and service delivery. The conversation highlighted how intentional efforts at multiple levels—systems, workforce, and community—are beginning to shift both access and leadership dynamics in the region.
‍

Women Leaders in Eye Health (WLEH)
Day two focused on the growing momentum behind WLEH. Colleagues from Sightsavers, Seva Foundation, and The Fred Hollows Foundation reflected on the critical role of mentorship, professional development, and global platforms in amplifying women’s voices. There was a strong consensus: investing in women leaders is not just the right thing to do—it drives tangible impact locally and globally. At the same time, speakers emphasized the importance of continuing to advocate for gender equity in a context where progress cannot be taken for granted.
‍

Africa
Our Africa-focused session surfaced both challenges and opportunities. Speakers highlighted the barriers women face in advancing within the eye health workforce, while also pointing to the power of partnerships in driving change. There was strong discussion on school eye health programs and how organizations are aligning efforts to strengthen delivery and reach more children. The conversation reinforced that collective action is essential for long-term systems change.
‍

Asia and the Pacific
The final session celebrated the breadth of work across Asia and the Pacific while creating space for peer exchange. Colleagues from Papua New Guinea, Cambodia, and Vietnam shared reflections on advancing care for women and girls, addressing systemic barriers, and translating inspiration into action. A recurring theme was how experiences at Women Deliver are already shaping new ideas and approaches that participants are eager to apply in their own contexts.

‍

‍
Looking ahead

These mini discussions may have been informal, but their impact was meaningful. They reinforced the strength of our global community and the importance of creating spaces—big and small—for shared learning and collaboration.

As we move forward, the opportunity is clear: to continue building on this momentum, deepen partnerships, and push further toward a future where women and girls not only access high-quality eye care—but lead, shape, and transform the systems that deliver it.

Learn more about WLEH Coffee Hours
‍
‍Learn more about our amazing eye health partners
Seva Foundation
‍The Fred Hollows Foundation
‍SightSavers
IAPB‍