Sewing Health and Hope: DGFP and BGMEA Ensuring Reproductive Health for 4.2 Million RMG Workers

As we bid farewell to the year 2023, the Bangladesh government’s unwavering commitment to providing equitable sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services for ready-made garment (RMG) workers has filled us with immense joy and hope.

In a landmark move to improve the welfare of female garment workers in Bangladesh, the Directorate General of Family Planning (DGFP) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA). This initiative aims to provide comprehensive reproductive health services to the 4.2 million workers in the readymade garment (RMG) sector, over 60% of whom are women of reproductive age.

Md. Sohel Parves, Director (Finance) and Line Director (FP-FSD) of DGFP, chaired the signing ceremony. Shahan Ara Banu, NDC, Director General of DGFP, attended as the chief guest. The event also featured Dr. Vibhavendra Singh Raghuvanshi, Chief of UNFPA Health Wing in Bangladesh, as the guest of honor. Special guests included Vice President of BGMEA K.M Rafiqul Islam, Vice President of BKMEA Fazlee Shamim Ehsan, Programme Manager of FP-FSD Hasan Amin Suman, and Dr. Setara Rahman.

“The collaboration will ensure that female garment workers have access to essential contraceptive services, promoting their health and well-being,” said Shahan Ara Banu. This MoU signifies a critical step in fostering public-private partnerships to address vital public health issues in Bangladesh.

Under the agreement, DGFP will provide both basic and refresher training to clinical service providers at garment factory clinics. Additionally, training sessions focusing on the use of contraceptive services, particularly long-acting reversible contraceptives and permanent methods, will be conducted for garment workers and their supervisors. This effort aims to ensure uninterrupted family planning services for these workers, enabling them to choose the method that best suits their needs.

Dr. Vibhavendra Singh Raghuvanshi emphasized the importance of this initiative, noting, “Access to reproductive health services is crucial for the empowerment and health of female workers in the RMG sector.”

The initiative also includes financial support from DGFP to clients as per DGFP rules. BGMEA and BKMEA will assist DGFP in monitoring the distribution and documentation of commodities at the garment factory level, ensuring quality assurance of family planning services.

This collaboration underscores the commitment of DGFP, BGMEA, and BKMEA to enhance the well-being of RMG workers by providing free contraceptives and family planning services. By facilitating access to these services, the initiative is expected to significantly improve the reproductive health and overall quality of life for millions of women in the garment industry.

The signing ceremony marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to support and promote the health and welfare of garment workers in Bangladesh, reflecting the government’s dedication to strengthening the RMG sector through vital sexual and reproductive health initiatives.

As we look forward to the new year, this dedication to enhancing the well-being of RMG workers stands as a beacon of progress and equity, promising a brighter and healthier future for all.

Source: The Daily Observer