A groundbreaking initiative aimed at improving the health and well-being of factory workers in Egypt is yielding positive results. The “Our Health is Our Capital” project, implemented in the El Amereya Free Investment Zone, has successfully integrated health services directly into the workplace, focusing on reproductive health and family planning.
Targeting approximately 60,000 workers across 10 garment factories, the project has had a significant impact on the lives of employees, particularly women. By providing accessible healthcare, the initiative has not only improved health outcomes but has also empowered women by addressing their specific needs.
The project’s success has sparked calls to expand this model to all factories across Egypt. By prioritizing the health of its workforce, the country can enhance productivity, reduce absenteeism, and promote economic growth.
The “Our Health is Our Capital” project serves as a shining example of how investing in the health of employees can lead to a more prosperous and equitable society.
Notably, around 60% of these workers are women, highlighting the project’s commitment to addressing the specific health needs of female workers in the industrial sector.
During a recent conference titled “Towards More Women-Friendly Factory Settings in Egypt,” held under the auspices of Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development and Minister of Health and Population, the Population Council presented the project’s results. This event underscored the significance of integrating reproductive health into the workplace, making a step forward in the National Program for Egyptian Family Development.
Dr. Nahla Abdel Tawab, the Population Council’s Country Director, stressed the necessity of expanding workers’ health programmes to address women’s broader reproductive health needs such as antenatal childbirth and postnatal care, detection, prevention and management of reproductive cancer, combating sexual and gender-based violence. Enhancing these services would not only improve health outcomes but also significantly increase women’s participation in the labour market, ultimately boosting the national economy.
