Menstrual Health, Worker Productivity and Well-being among Female Bangladeshi Garment Workers

The authors conducted a randomised controlled trial (RCT) on a sample of 1,000 female garment workers in 3 factories in Bangladesh,

Abstract

We conducted a randomised controlled trial (RCT) on a sample of 1,000 female garment workers in 3 factories in Bangladesh, offering access to free sanitary pads at work to 500 of the workers. We cross-randomised participation in information sessions for hygienic menstrual health care implemented by an experienced local NGO, and we vary the salience of commonly perceived taboos in the pad collection process. We find effects of the free pads and information sessions on self-reported pad use, but not of the taboo variations. We find effects on absenteeism and adherence to traditional restrictive and health-adverse taboos surrounding menstruation, but not on worker turnover or self-reported well-being at work.

This work is part of the Private Enterprise Development in Low Income Countries (PEDL) programme

Citation

Czura, Kristina and Menzel, Andreas and Miotto, Martina, Menstrual Health, Worker Productivity and Well-Being among Female Bangladeshi Garment Workers (November 1, 2019). CERGE-EI Working Paper Series No. 649, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3519895 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3519895

Menstrual Health, Worker Productivity and Well-being among Female Bangladeshi Garment Workers

Updates to this page

Published 1 November 2019