A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been struck between the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the multinational apparel-tech giant MAS. This engagement is the first of a one-year commitment to support reproductive and women’s health.
The MoU solidified MAS and UNFPA’s common goal of increasing funding for women’s health and welfare. It aims to empower and inspire girls and women working in the clothing industry to speak up and to encourage businesses to establish safe public areas. Through the collaboration, the two organisations will improve medical facilities, run awareness campaigns, and set up wellness centres in BOI zones that are open to workers in the clothing industry.
In order to do this, MAS and UNFPA will work together to develop and test a scalable wellness centre concept that will improve access to critical services like mental health and psychosocial support services (MHPSS), support for gender-based violence (GBV), and sexual and reproductive health (SRH).
MAS will calculate the possible financial returns attained through the execution of health-related activities using UNFPA’s Return on Investment Tool (ROI-T for Her). By doing this, MAS seeks to highlight the importance of these programs and persuade businesses to make investments that will promote the protection, well-being, and health of women and girls working in the sector.
