Programs

HERessentials logo

Leveraging technology to engage workers and managers on gender, health, and financial inclusion.

Overview

Women have been disproportionately impacted by the economic and social consequences of COVID-19. HERessentials is an app which provides critical information to vulnerable female and male workers and managers in global supply chains during times of crisis, including information on health, financial resilience, and tools for building harmonious relationships and handling stress. Furthermore, it is designed to increase workers’ digital and tech literacy while also heightening resilience in an increasingly technological world of work. The offering puts technology in the hands of low-income women with low tech skills all the while empowering suppliers to take ownership of worker trainings on essential topics.

empower@work logo

HERessentials was developed in partnership with Empower@Work to support workers and managers respond to COVID-19. HERessentials draws on the Empower@Work toolkit which includes content from Empower@Work founding members Better Work, CARE International, Gap's PACE program, and HERproject.

“I am a worker at the factory and with my salary I can hardly sustain the family. My husband lost his job due to COVID-19 and this has affected the family both financially and emotionally. There have been increased arguments in the family.” — Female worker, Kenya

HERessentials Resources

What is the HERessentials App?

The HERessentials app was developed with workers in mind—ensuring usability for those with low tech literacy and low literacy levels. Once downloaded on tablets, the app is available offline, thereby catering to workplaces where connectivity is low and providing accessibility even in times of social distancing. The application includes animations teaching core concepts, games to solidify understanding, and pre- and post- quizzes to gauge learnings. Animations in the HERessentials app share key messages from the Empower@Work toolkit.

More Resources

HERessentials Social Media Cards thumbnail
Tool

HERessentials Social Media Cards

A series of 15 illustrations which provides information on personal health, financial services and management, managing stress and communication. These illustrations can be used during training, or directly by factories.
English Vietnamese

#vietnam #tool

HERessentials Worker Animations thumbnail
Tool

HERessentials Worker Animations

HERessentials animations for workers, developed with Knowlens, are part of HERessentials Training Tool. All films and animations are directly available on our HERproject YouTube channel, and give engaging guidance and information for workers around health, financial resilience, and tools for building harmonious relationships and handling stress. They follow HERessentials curriculum, and can be used during training, or shown on their own—such as in factory canteens.
Bangla English Gujarati Hindi Kannada Kenyan Mandarin Spanish Tamil Vietnamese Urdu

#tool

HERessentials Manager Animations thumbnail
Tool

HERessentials Manager Animations

HERessentials animations for managers, developed with Knowlens, are part of HERessentials Training Tool. All films and animations are directly available on our HERproject YouTube channel, and give engaging guidance and information for managers on how to support workers on building a positive workplace relationships and solving issues at work.
Bangla English Gujarati Hindi Kannada Spanish Tamil Vietnamese Urdu

#tool

HERessentials Audio Files thumbnail
Tool

HERessentials Audio Files

HERproject has developed audio messages that provide information about health, financial resilience, and building harmonious, which can be played on the public address (PA) system. They are available in several languages-see links below.
Assamese Bangla Gujarati Hindi Kannada Punjabi Tamil Urdu Vietnamese

#tool

Capacity Building

HERessentials is based on the standard HERproject activities, with the following focus areas.

Capacity icon

Worker
Toolkit

Key topics covered include: Hygiene and General Health; Family Health; Managing Your Money; Digital Financial Services; Building Harmonious Relationships; Stress Management; How to Use a Tablet; and Sharing Information with Others.

Workplace icon

Manager
Toolkit

Key topics covered include: Communication skills, Stress management

Empowered Women, Dignified Work, Better Business

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Our Mission

To unlock the full potential of women working in global supply chains through workplace-based interventions on health, financial inclusion, and gender equality.

About HERproject™

BSR's HERproject™ is a collaborative initiative that strives to empower low-income women working in global supply chains.

Bringing together global brands, their suppliers, and local NGOs, HERproject™ drives impact for women and business via workplace-based interventions on health, financial inclusion, and gender equality. Since its inception in 2007, HERproject™ has worked in more than 1,000 workplaces across 17 countries and has increased the well-being, confidence, and economic potential of more than 1,225,000 women and 775,000 men.

About BSR™

BSR is a sustainable business network and consultancy focused on creating a world in which all people can thrive on a healthy planet. With offices in Asia, Europe, and North America, BSR provides its 300+ member companies with insight, advice, and collaborative initiatives to help them see a changing world more clearly, create long-term value, and scale impact.

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