Empowering women textile workers by promoting menstrual health and hygiene (MHM) at textile factories in Dhaka and Gazipur.
Menstrual and Hygiene Management
The Problem
Menstrual hygiene in Bangladesh
Menstrual hygiene in Bangladesh, especially in the textile sector, is characterised by numerous challenges: In addition to social aspects such as taboo and stigma, lack of education and limited access and affordable menstrual products, there are further challenges for workers in the textile sector. Because wages are far too low, many workers cannot afford regular menstrual products and therefore use unhygienic materials.
The often irregular changing of these materials leads to infections and long-term health problems. In addition to the wrong materials, the lack of functional and safe facilities in many places is also responsible for this. In many factories, the so-called WASH facilities (water, sanitation and hygiene) are inadequate or simply broken.
The Solution
120 workshops at 10 textile factories
Together with our partner in Bangladesh – Agroho – we implemented an initial pilot project in 2024, for which we conducted a total of 120 workshops at 10 textile factories in Dhaka and Gazipur and provided 2,500 female workers with period products and hygiene kits.
The project comprised several activities to improve menstrual hygiene management (MHM) in textile factories:
1. Needs assessment:
Interviews and focus groups identified shortcomings in terms of menstrual hygiene products, education and sanitation facilities. Cultural taboos made open discussions difficult.
2. Factory mobilisation:
Targeted exchanges with factory management encouraged workers to take time off work to participate in the training courses.
3. Involving stakeholders:
Meetings with local institutions and community leaders raised awareness on the importance and de-tabooing of MHM.
4. Consultation meetings:
Factory representatives* provided feedback on the integration of the project into the working environment.
5. Trainings:
120 trainings in 10 factories that educated a total of 2,939 workers on menstrual health and hygiene.
6. Distribution of products:
2,584 workers received sanitary towels and hygiene kits (toothbrush, toothpaste, shower gel, etc.) every month.
7. IEC materials:
Visual educational materials raised awareness of menstrual health.
8. Agents of Change:
100 workers were specifically trained to raise awareness of the wide
9. Support systems:
Feedback mechanisms and regular meetings with factory management improved the running of the project and readiness to ensure foundations for healthy MHM.
10. Monitoring and evaluation:
The effectiveness of the project was monitored through regular analyses and progress reports.
The project improved the conditions for MHM in the factories, but encountered challenges such as inadequate infrastructure and limited inclusion of male workers due to cultural barriers.
The Impact
Improved the health and well-being
The project improved the health and well-being of the workers through training and awareness-raising on menstrual hygiene, which broke down taboos and promoted healthier practices.
- Sensitisation: Many workers have increased their knowledge of menstrual hygiene. 100 ‘Agents of Change’ spread the knowledge in their communities.
- Improved health: The distribution of hygiene kits and sanitary towels reduced the use of unsafe alternatives and thus lowered health risks. Three factories institutionalised the free distribution of products.
- Economic aspects: In 90% of the factories, health-related absenteeism decreased and productivity increased, reducing income losses for the workers and having a positive impact on their entire families.
Besides, the project promoted gender equality, hygiene and social engagement in the workplace:
- Equality: open menstruation discussions strengthened respect between the sexes and reduced discrimination.
- Hygiene and safety: Awareness of cleanliness improved health and safety conditions in the workplace.
- Social engagement: Many of the trained workers spread their knowledge in their community.
- Trust in medical professionals: Many workers felt more comfortable visiting doctors after the trainings, spoke more openly about their ailments and thus received better medical advice.
- Self-confidence and solidarity: Open discussions about menstruation strengthened self-confidence and promoted solidarity among the women.
A follow-up project is already planned and is expected to be carried out in 2025.
Supported by the Foundation Nord-Süd-Brücken with funds from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
