Women Leaders in Eye Health - WLEH

08/17/2026

Another successful Coffee Hour wrapped up at the Global Ophthalmology Summit (GOS) in Philadelphia, USA! ☕

Held earlier in August, our lunchtime session, 'Mentorship by Design: Building Inclusive Institutional Pathways’, explored practical ways institutions and individuals can help accelerate women's leadership in eye health.

Our inspiring speakers shared real-world examples of mentoring junior faculty, creating more flexible fellowship pathways, supporting young mothers, and encouraging girls to see themselves as future leaders from an early age.

The discussion challenged assumptions, sparked new thinking, and generated practical ideas for building more inclusive leadership pathways across the sector.

Thank you to our speakers, participants and partners for making this interactive Coffee Hour such a valuable space for learning, connection and shared problem-solving.

The conversation reinforced an important message: meaningful progress happens when we move beyond awareness and take intentional action to create opportunities for the next generation of women leaders.

08/13/2026

☕ Our recent WOSA and Women Leaders in Eye Health Coffee Hour at in Cape Town, South Africa, was a resounding success!

“Mentorship That Matters: Building Intergenerational Support Networks for Women in Ophthalmology & Eye Health” brought together women from across the continent to share experiences, challenge ideas and explore how we can better support the next generation of leaders in eye care.

The packed early-morning session explored the experiences of Black women in leadership, the importance of moving beyond allyship towards active sponsorship, and how mentorship can extend beyond ophthalmology.

The conversation also highlighted the need for more bilingual engagement in English and French as our network continues to grow.

A huge thank you to our speakers, participants and partners for helping create a space for honest conversation, new connections and ideas that can continue empowering women in eye health well beyond AOC.

08/05/2026

Women Leaders in Eye Health's upcoming is at the in Philadelphia!

If you are heading to the conference, make sure to join us for this exciting Friday lunch session which includes incredible panelists.

Pre-register here today to save a spot: https://www.wleh.org/events/gos-2026-coffee-hour

See you there!

08/04/2026

From Kenya to the United States, professional development creates opportunities that can shape careers and strengthen eye health systems.

Dr. Alice Lisa Ouma, a Consultant Ophthalmologist from Mombasa, Kenya, experienced this first-hand when she attended Meeting in Orlando, Florida.

After being awarded with a WLEH Professional Development Grant, Dr. Ouma was able to present her research several thousands of miles away on childhood corneal injuries, connect with global leaders in ophthalmology and gain valuable insights to bring back to her patients and community.

One of the highlights of her experience was joining the session, where she shared her journey as a young ophthalmologist and served as a table champion, encouraging other women aspiring to join the profession.

"I will forever be grateful to WLEH. It was a one-of-a-kind experience and a true defining moment for my career as a young Ophthalmologist. Thank you WLEH, I am beyond inspired to IMAGINE!" she tells us.

Dr. Alice's story is a reminder of the impact that investing in women leaders can have. By supporting women to access professional development, present their research and build global networks, we can strengthen leadership and build more equitable eye health systems worldwide.

Stay tuned for upcoming fellowship opportunities and learn more about our innovation grants: https://www.wleh.org/grants

07/29/2026

We have exciting news! Applications for our WLEH Fellowship Grants are now open.

As part of the WLEH Accelerator Track, our Fellowship Grants support women in eye health to pursue advanced training, clinical specialisation and academic opportunities that strengthen leadership capacity and help drive change across institutions, communities and health systems.

Whether you're at the beginning of your leadership journey or already leading change, we welcome applications from both emerging and established women leaders. We recognize that leadership is demonstrated through influence, initiative, mentorship, advocacy and service, not only formal positions or titles.

Through the Fellowship Grants, we aim to support women to expand their knowledge, develop new skills and contribute to advancing gender equity and stronger eye health systems.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and will remain open until December 2026, or until all available funding has been allocated so we recommend applying early.

Learn more & apply: https://www.wleh.org/grants

07/28/2026

07/27/2026

Join us at GOS 2026!

How can we create leadership and mentorship opportunities that truly work for women in global ophthalmology?

Join the Women Leaders in Eye Health Coffee Hour for an inspiring conversation on "Mentorship by Design: Strengthening Institutional Pathways for Women in Global Ophthalmology."

We'll explore solutions to make leadership, training, and mentorship more inclusive, from family-friendly global health experiences to fellowship and mentorship models that help women thrive at every stage of their careers.

Friday, August 7
🕧 12:25–1:05 PM (Lunch Session)
📍 Philadelphia Marriott Downtown

Let's build a future where every woman has the opportunity to lead and thrive. Register here: https://www.wleh.org/events/gos-2026-coffee-hour

See you at GOS 2026!

07/14/2026

Join us for our upcoming WLEH and WOSA Coffee Hour ☕ at for an engaging conversation on what meaningful mentorship really looks like for women in eye health.

Our session “Mentorship That Matters: Building Intergenerational Support Networks for Women in Ophthalmology & Eye Health” will explore mentorship, sponsorship, and peer support models that help women enter, grow, and lead in eye health.

Connect across career stages, share experiences, and leave with great ideas for building stronger, more inclusive support networks that truly matter.

Where: AOC 2026 | Cape Town | Westin Hotel, De Gama Suite, Adjacent to CITCC
When: Sunday, August 2 | 7:15-8:30 AM

We're looking forward to seeing you there!

Learn more and register: https://www.wleh.org/events/aoc-2026-coffee-hour

07/09/2026

Meet Tisha, a young girl from rural Bangladesh who struggled with poor vision until she received the eye care she needed from Joyoshree, a female health worker at her local vision centre.

Tisha's story is a powerful reminder that increasing the number of women across the eye health workforce can help more women and girls access the care they need.

At Women Leaders in Eye Health, we know that stronger female representation leads to more inclusive, equitable and resilient eye health services, helping ensure that women and girls are not left behind.

Because when women lead, communities like Tisha's see the difference. 💜

07/01/2026

Our latest newsletter is here!

The third edition of Empower Sight is now available, bringing together highlights and reflections from across the Women Leaders in Eye Health community.

This special mid-year edition celebrates what we have achieved together so far in 2026, from global advocacy and leadership development to innovation and community building, while also sharing what comes next as WLEH continues to grow.

Explore how women leaders around the world are driving change in eye health.

Read the full edition and be part of the journey: https://www.wleh.org/newsletter