unfpa-invest-in-women-s-health-for-economic-gains

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Asia-Pacific has urged businesses across the region, particularly in labour-intensive sectors such as garment and textile manufacturing, to prioritise investments in the sexual and reproductive health and rights of their female employees.

 

This call to action comes ahead of Sexual Health Day on Wednesday, highlighting the economic benefits that such investments can bring.

 

"Millions of women in Asia and the Pacific, especially those employed in the garment and manufacturing sectors, are young, often migrants from low-income families with limited access to healthcare and education," the UNFPA said in a statement. "The lack of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services exacerbates these challenges, directly affecting their health, job retention, and productivity."

 

UNFPA Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Pio Smith emphasised the economic advantages for businesses that invest in employee well-being.

 

"Companies that prioritise the health and well-being of their workers are positioning themselves for long-term success. The evidence is clear: meeting women's sexual and reproductive health needs leads to improved productivity, reduced absenteeism, lower staff turnover, and greater job satisfaction," Smith said.

 

To help businesses evaluate the financial benefits of such investments, the UNFPA has developed a Return on Investment Tool (ROI-T). This tool provides a framework for assessing the economic returns of investing in workplace sexual and reproductive health and rights.

 

The UNFPA noted that workplace programmes addressing women's health issues, such as menstrual health and anaemia, can lead to significant health improvements and cost savings for companies.

 

The UNFPA’s initiatives in the region include training 75 private sector companies in the Philippines to provide family planning sessions for female employees, developing gender-based violence awareness resources for trainers at South Asia's largest lingerie manufacturing factory in Sri Lanka, and collaborating with garment manufacturers in Bangladesh to ensure workers have access to essential health services.