Dignity packages, health-hygiene kits project launched for Covid-19 impacted women

A project for Covid-19 impacted women migrant workers was launched on Saturday aiming to support them with dignity packages and health-hygiene kits in 10 districts across the country.

UN Women Bangladesh in collaboration with Unilever Bangladesh and Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment (MoEWOE) launched the project at Bangladesh Korea Technical Training Centre in the capital.

The project will provide emergency food, personal health and hygiene products and skill development opportunity, according to a press release.

Funded by UN Women, the Japan government and Unilever Bangladesh, the project will be implemented by two women rights organisations:  Bangladesh Nari Sramik Kendra (BNSK) and Badabon Sangho in locations including Dhaka airport, Dhaka Urban, Manikganj, Keraniganj, Narsingdi, Rajbari, Jessore, Bagerhat, Sylhet, Habiganj, Patuakhali and Jamalpur.

Women migrant workers are facing challenges as they lost jobs following the coronavirus outbreak.

This has put them into greater risks such as lack of food and nutrition, health risks, exposed them to gender-based violence at home and in public and made them fall prey to social stigma.

The project will support these women through providing Cash for Work (CFW), create livelihood options and engage them in community work for disseminating awareness information on COVID-19 prevention.

Some 300 women returnee migrants in Dhaka, Manikganj and Keraniganj will receive a dignity package that includes two masks, hand washing bars, detergent powder and basic food items. 

Around 10,000 women migrant workers in 10 districts under three divisions will receive health-hygiene products that include two masks, hand washing bars, detergent powder, shampoo, toothpaste etc.

Some 30 returnee women in Manikganj will receive sewing machines and skill training to produce masks for their community as livelihood support.

Some 100 returnee women will be engaged with Cash for Work, mobilising vulnerable returnee women, and disseminating awareness messages on preventing COVID-19 in their respective communities.

About 50,000 people (family members of returnee migrants) will be benefited from the support and services provided under this project.

Dr Ahmed Munirus Saleheen, secretary at the MoEWOE, attended the programme as the chief guest. Md Shamsul Alam, director-general of BMET, Dilruba Haider, officer in charge of UN Women, Bangladesh, Rashedul Quayum, secretary and legal director of Unilever Bangladesh, among others, were present at the event.