A project for Covid-impacted women migrant workers was launched on Saturday with an eye to supporting them with dignity package and hygiene kit in 10 districts across the country.
UN Women Bangladesh in collaboration with Unilever Bangladesh and Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment launched the project at Bangladesh-Korea Technical Training Centre in the city.
The project will provide emergency food, personal health and hygiene products and skill development opportunity, according to a press release.
Funded by UN Women, Japan and Unilever, the project will be implemented by Bangladesh Nari Sramik Kendra and Badabon Sangha.
The project areas including Dhaka airport, Dhaka urban, Manikganj, Keraniganj, Narsingdi, Rajbari, Jashore, Bagerhat, Sylhet, Habiganj, Patuakhali and Jamalpur.
Women migrant workers are facing challenges as they have lost jobs following the coronavirus outbreak.
This has put this group of women into greater risks like lack of food and nutrition, exposure to gender-based violence at home and in public as well as social stigma.
The project will support these women through providing Cash for Work (CfW) support, creating livelihood options and engaging in community work for disseminating awareness information on COVID-19.
Some 300 women migrant returnee in Dhaka, Manikganj and Keraniganj will receive dignity package that includes two masks, handwashing bar, detergent powder and basic food items.
An estimated 10,000 female workers in 10 districts under three divisions will receive health-hygiene products, including two masks, hand washing bar, detergent powder, shampoo and toothpaste.
Thirty returnees in Manikganj will receive sewing machines (six) and skills training to produce masks for their community as livelihood support.
Some 100 women will be engaged in CfW, mobilising vulnerable returnees and circulating awareness messages on COVID-19 prevention in their respective communities.
About 50,000 people (family members of returned migrants) will benefit from the support and services provided under this project.
Dr Ahmed Munirus Saleheen, secretary at the ministry, was the chief guest at the event where Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training director general Md Shamsul Alam was present.
Also present, among others, at the programme were Women Bangladesh officer-in-charge Dilruba Haider and Unilever Bangladesh legal director and company secretary Rashedul Quayum.
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