Menstrual health, worker productivity and well-being among female Bangladeshi garment workers

Arbeitspapier

We conducted a randomised controlled trial (RCT) on a sample of 1,000 female garment workers in three factories in Bangladesh, off ering 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 eff ects 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.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: Discussion Paper ; No. 203

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Industrialization; Manufacturing and Service Industries; Choice of Technology ; Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration ; Social Innovation ; Personnel Economics: Labor Management ; Nonwage Labor Costs and Benefits; Retirement Plans; Private Pensions ; Labor Standards: Working Conditions
• Subject: Menstrual Health ; Taboos ; Productivity ; Export Manufacturing

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Czura, Kristina ; Menzel, Andreas ; Miotto, Martina
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München und Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Collaborative Research Center Transregio 190 - Rationality and Competition
• (where): München und Berlin
• (when): 2019

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/222100
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:44 AM CET