Author: Rokeya Fahmida
AIT Library Call Number: AIT Thesis no.GD-02-04
Year: 2002
Academic Program: Gender and Development Studies (GDS)
Type: Thesis (M.Sc.) – Asian Institute of Technology, 2002
Examination Committee: Barbara Earth (Chairperson); Kyoko Kusakabe, B.W.E. Wickramanayake (Examination Committee Members)
Abstract: This study explores the reproductive health status and risks of adolescent women garment workers in Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ), Savar, Bangladesh. Using qualitative data, an attempt was made to describe the young women’s reproductive health problems in the context of their work in the garment factories and their living environment off the job. Case studies documented the existence of reproductive health problems including inadequate maternal care and unsafe delivery, unsafe abortion, and an overall lack of information and services for RTls, STDs, and HIV/AIDS. It was found that adolescent garment workers have limited knowledge on menstruation before it happens and lack education on menstrual hygiene. Harmful practices like poorly assisted home delivery, unhygienic induced abortion, food taboo during pregnancy and menstruation, and insecure job and living conditions put adolescent workers at risk. The cases revealed that deliveries of pregnant workers and abortions of both married and unmarried adolescent workers took place in unhygienic conditions, which may lead to infection. Workers do not take leave during pregnancy even up to the time of delivery for fear of losing their job. Because of lack of education and shame/shyness they are not aware of risky sexual behavior and RTis, STDs, and HIV/AIDS. A positive attitude towards fertility control was found among the adolescent women workers, but their husbands dominate to select contraceptive and husbands are not willing to use condoms. In sum, the young women workers do not have the knowledge or power to negotiate reproductive and sexual safety. In the DEPZ, the risks to the reproductive health of adolescent workers and provision of treatment in the factory clinics are not addressed. Though EPZ authority has given attention to occupational health hazards, the importance of reproductive health and its relation to the work environment has not yet been recognized by the garment industry. Multi-sectoral recommendations are given to improve the reproductive he
Scholarship Donor(s): UNFPA, Bangladesh; Asian Institute of Technology (AIT)
Note: A thesis submitted in the partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development
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