Another research project which I have been asked to get involved in is called the HER project. This project in an collaborative effort with AKU, Business for Social Responsibility, David and Lucile Packard Foundation and Extending Service Delivery. The aim of this project is to design and pilot health programs for vulnerable women factory workers. This project is essential because:

1) women comprise a majority of the workforce in labor-intensive manufacturing industries
2) women employees are at a greater risk of suffering from health problems because they are often in their child bearing years and also lower social status than men
3) Many factory managers fail to invest financial resources in health programs since most women workers are young and perceived by factory management to be "sexually inactive" and hence, not in need of reproductive health services.
4) Most factories do not understand the link between the provisions of health services for women with higher productivity, reduced absenteeism and lower turnover.
5) Even though some factories provide women's reproductive health and HIV/AIDS prevention training to its workers, such programs suffer from a lac of worker participation and appropriate program evaluation.

Two factories have been selected. A survey for female workers has already been completed, which asks questions on topics pertaining to prevention and care of Hepatitis B and C, nutrition, general hygiene and sanitation, pre-and post-natal care, and family planning options. Upon conducting the survey, the researchers have identified several myths and misconceptions women have on their health.

In general, there is a lack of knowledge on family planning as well as on HIV/AIDS and STIs. Many have never even heard of these diseases. This knowledge is freely available in developed countries but not so in countries like Pakistan and India. I am wondering if this lack of knowledge has something to do with the culture. HIV/AIDS and STIs are not talked about freely because that involves talking about sexual interactions. This is considered a taboo in most cultures and is usually swept under the rug. So I wonder, who many individuals are walking around, unknowingly, with HIV/AIDs or STIs?

As part of this project, women workers were selected from each of the factories and trained on the topics list above. These women received training and went through workshops to sharpen their skills and fill any gaps in their knowledge. All training and workshops will be provided by AKU and will be conducted every two months. These individuals will then be asked to convey this information to the study women workers during lunch/break. The goal is that the women will get together to talk about issues that concern them the most, to identify their needs, and brainstorm ways to fulfilling these needs through help with various partnerships. Change can only happen when it is appropriate for the people who are seeking change-otherwise, no solution will ever be sustainable.

The last steps would be to assess changes in health practices among the women workers after a 12-months time as well as to implement health policies with the help of both private-public sectors.