Programs

Increasing the ability of low-income women to take charge of their health

COVID-19 response and resources

Women working in global supply chains, many of whom are young and undereducated migrants, have limited health knowledge and often lack access to critical health services and products.

Myths and misconceptions, especially stigmas around reproductive health, lead to unhealthy or dangerous behavior. Consequently, low-income women have been found to suffer from anemia and increased exposure to various illnesses, including sexually transmitted and other communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, and tuberculosis.

87%

87% of Bangladeshi women in the garment industry suffer from ailments and illness.

225

225 million women in developing countries do not have access to contraception.

Ensuring that these women have the information and access to services that they need to prevent and treat disease and maintain their health is vital:

  • It is a key aspect of delivering the basic human right to a healthy life
  • It makes an important contribution to economic progress, as healthy populations live longer, are more productive, and save more
  • It allows women to plan their families and shape their lives in a proactive way
  • It helps women to educate their children on health, improving well-being across generations

Focus Areas

HERhealth™ is based on the standard HERproject activities, with the following focus areas:

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Building
Capacity


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Raising awareness on critical health topics such as healthy eating, personal and menstrual hygiene, and maternal health

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Improving health-related behaviors such as disease testing, seeking out preventative care, and conducting breast self-examinations

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Addressing common myths and misconceptions around potentially harmful health practices and beliefs

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Building confidence and communication skills around discussing important health issues at work and at home

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Strengthening Management Systems


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Improving the capacity of the workplace clinic to respond to workers’ health needs

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Linking workplaces with external health services providers, such as local clinics

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Strengthening workplace policies and systems promoting worker well-being

Featured Story

I know women who have made big changes based on the training or on what we have told them. One of my sisters used to live near my house. My sister was always in a hurry when she arrived home from work, so she never washed her hands before feeding her baby.

After I received the HERhealth training, I knew the importance of washing your hands. So I told her that she should wash her hands before feeding the baby, or if not, let the baby eat by itself. Nowadays she never feeds her baby without washing her hands.

Muslima Khatun

Muslima Khatun