Female Migrant Workers: 10,430 returnees to get assistance
Some 10,430 returnee female migrant workers -- many of whom came home after their jobs abroad amid the coronavirus pandemic -- are going to receive various supports to get their lives back on track, including emergency food, health and hygiene products, and skill training in 10 districts.
UN Women, Expatriates' Welfare Ministry, and Unilever jointly launched the project at the capital's Bangladesh-Korea Technical Training Centre conference room yesterday, said a press release. About 50,000 people are expected to benefit from the project.
Bangladesh Nari Sramik Kendra and Badabon Sangho will implement the project in Dhaka, Manikganj, Narsingdi, Rajbari, Jashore, Bagerhat, Sylhet, Habiganj, Patuakhali and Jamalpur, said the document.
The project will be funded by UN Women, the Government of Japan and Unilever Bangladesh.
Women migrant workers who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic are facing a variety of challenges while starting over in their home country. Lack of food and nutrition, health risks, exposure to gender-based violence at home and in public, as well as social stigma are but a few of the issues they are facing.
Under the project, about 300 women in Dhaka and Manikganj will receive a package that includes masks, hand washing bar, detergent powder, and basic food items, the press release said.
Additionally 10,000 women migrant workers in 10 districts will receive health- hygiene products that include masks, hand-washing bar, detergent powder, shampoo, and toothpaste.
30 returnee women in Manikganj will receive sewing machines and training to produce masks for their community.
Moreover, 100 others will be engaged with cash for work, mobilising vulnerable returnee women, and disseminating awareness messages on Covid-19 prevention in their respective communities.
Addressing as chief guest, Expatriates' Welfare Ministry Secretary Ahmed Munirus Saleheen said, "We encourage safe, orderly, regular and responsible migration and we expect civil society and NGOs to help us ensure that."
Collaboration among the government, private sector, UN and NGOs can play a crucial role to empower the returnee women migrants, said Dilruba Haider, officer in charge of UN Women Bangladesh.
Rashedul Quayum, secretary and legal director of Unilever Bangladesh, hoped the food, cash and health and hygiene products will help the recipients during these trying times.
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