Welcome to Aratrika Eye Care Foundation
Dreaming girls grow
into visionary women.
Overcoming Gender Inequality
in a society rooted in patriarchy
- In Punjab’s deeply rooted patriarchal society, women and girls often endure significant discrimination, gender inequality, child marriage, dowry pressures, and physical abuse.
- Female literacy in Punjab, like in some other regions of India, remains low. The state ranks among the lowest on the United Nations’ Gender-Related Development Index (GDI) and Gender Empowerment Measure (GEM).
- Aratrika Eye Care Foundation, through its unique program, aims to uplift the lives of young girls by providing them with education and career opportunities. In turn, these girls grow into role models and change-makers, creating a lasting impact on their communities.
Transforming Lives, One Girl at a Time
"Football to Eyeball": An Educational Drive by the Aratrika Foundation
"The Aratrika Eye Foundation runs a unique 'Football to Eyeball' program focused on girls' education and development. Through this initiative, girls are encouraged to play football, using the sport as a powerful tool to challenge traditional stereotypes. By showcasing their talent and teamwork on the field, we aim to demonstrate to local communities—especially in rural areas—that limiting beliefs about girls' roles can be changed for the better."
"For instance, when girls play football, they challenge the stereotype that the sport is only for boys. It breaks societal norms that suggest girls shouldn't be active outdoors or wear shorts. Beyond challenging these notions, football helps build self-confidence, teamwork, discipline, and instills a healthy sense of competition and ambition in the girls."
"Launched in 2009, this program focuses on girls around the age of 10 or 11 from economically and socially disadvantaged backgrounds. We offer them full, free boarding along with access to education, vocational training, and formal academic qualifications in Optometry. The program also supports their employment and ultimately empowers them with the opportunity to build a better quality of life."
The program has achieved remarkable success.
We’ve witnessed girls who have gone through our education program grow into confident, knowledgeable individuals—equipped with both academic and practical skills. Many of them are now emerging as role models within their communities and have become integral, highly capable members of our team working to eliminate blindness across Punjab.
Support a girl child’s future.
Learning and Personal Development
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- Focused Efforts
Kindness is a language the blind can see and the deaf can hear.
Inspiration Through Storytelling
“A Stitch of Hope in the Dark”
Igniting Hope, Restoring Vision. 🧵 Rameshwari Devi was known in her neighborhood not just for her nimble fingers, but for her never-fading smile. Every morning,