The garment and textile sectors employ millions of women worldwide, and a significant share of manufacturing takes place in factories and companies across Asia. In the broader Asia-Pacific region, many of these women face multiple vulnerabilities, such as low income and education, poor access to social sector programmes, and
they are often migrants subject to poor working conditions.

The UNFPA Asia and the Pacific Regional Office (APRO) Workplace Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) programme, as part of the UNFPA Coalition for Reproductive Justice in Business, aims to demonstrate to businesses and private sector stakeholders the positive health and economic returns of investing in the access to and provision of SRHR services for employees.

This Case Study seeks to present a relevant business case using real administrative data from a large-scale labour-intensive garment company, building on learnings from already implemented activities, to expand access to voluntary SRHR services in the workplace by demonstrating workforce health improvements and firm-level productivity benefits to factory owners and brands. 

The case study highlights the key outcomes of Shahi Exports’ menstrual health activity in the workplace, while making the case for additional investments in other factories through using the UNFPA Return-on-Investment Tool (ROI-T).

Key outcomes: 

• 22% increase in the use of sanitary pads.
• 15% decrease in women feeling unwell during the menstrual cycle.
• 21% estimated reduction in absenteeism.
• Estimated USD 2.90 return for every USD 1 invested in the provision of sanitary pads in the workplace.