GAIN launches nutrition awareness campaign for RMG workers
The organisation started the campaign recently and will continue it till December
The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), a Swiss-based non-governmental organisation (NGO), has launched a campaign to raise awareness on nutrition needs because malnutrition is prevalent among the country's ready-made garment (RMG) sector workers.
It takes the initiative, through a digital, distant, approach – due to the Covid-19 situation – to create improved access to, and demand for, safe and nutritious food, reads a press release.
The organisation has been implementing a project titled Strengthening Workers' Access to Pertinent Nutrition Opportunities (SWAPNO) – in partnership with 20 garment factories in Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj, Mymensingh, and Chattogram – to reach more than 50,000 workers.
GAIN started the campaign recently and will continue it till December this year.
Due to malnutrition among the workers, their productivity is hampered. Healthy food reduces the risk of spreading non-communicable diseases and provides sufficient energy and nutrients for workers to perform tasks, the organisation said.
The organisation has designed a digital media-based distant Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) approach, which includes: radio dramas, a Facebook campaign, webinars, jingles, and Television programmes.
GAIN's radio project partner, Dhaka FM, said the weekly radio drama "Amar Swapno Amar Pushti" has created buzz among the workers countrywide; the last five episodes of the audio drama has reached an audience of more than 12 million.
The initiative is aimed at motivating policymakers, employers, factory management, brands, and buyers to prioritise nutrition.
It is also trying to encourage factory management to provide nutritious food to workers as well as help the workers understand the benefits of consuming nutritious food.
