Research Dissemination Held in Dhaka

On June 25, 2025, a significant research dissemination event was held at the Sasakawa Auditorium of icddr,b in Mohakhali, Dhaka. The event was jointly organized by icddr,b, the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), and SickKids, Canada, with funding support from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada.

The event’s focus was the presentation of findings from a research study conducted under the Women RISE initiative titled “Strengthening Systems for Pandemic Preparedness among Working Women Living in Informal Settlements in Urban Bangladesh.”

Background and Objectives of the Study

The study, led by Dr. Sohana Shafique, adopted a sequential mixed-methods approach to explore women’s experiences working in urban slums and garment factories during the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath.

It was conducted across icddr,b’s Urban Health and Demographic Surveillance System (UHDSS) sites in Dhaka and Gazipur and in six ready-made garment (RMG) factories in Gazipur. The research aimed to understand the intersection of gender, labor, and health in low-resource urban environments. It applied systems thinking and gender-transformative strategies at micro, meso, and macro levels to co-develop a customized intervention package for improved pandemic preparedness.

Inaugural Remarks and Key Issues

Dr. Tahmeed Ahmed, Executive Director of icddr,b, delivered the opening remarks, stating, “I believe the study results will help us all prepare better for future pandemics. We must remain vigilant as COVID-19 cases rise again and continue refining our responses.”

Dr. Sohana Shafique then presented the significant findings. She highlighted the vulnerabilities of working women in informal settlements and factories, the systemic gaps in urban health infrastructure, and the benefits of the targeted interventions.

COVID-19 directly impacted men’s and women’s health, including maternal and child health, nutrition, mental well-being, and overall resilience. For example, a 28-year-old domestic worker from Mirpur slum shared that she was compelled to sell her earrings and take a loan to cover childbirth expenses during the pandemic, which forced her to discontinue her daughter’s education. Indirect effects included job loss, food insecurity, and increased social vulnerability—especially in the informal labor sector, which employs over 90% of working women in Bangladesh.

Significant Impacts of the Intervention

The intervention led to notable improvements across several areas:

• Knowledge of respiratory infection transmission rose by 29.59% overall, with a 36.28% increase among informal sector workers.
• Awareness of symptoms improved by 24.71%, with a 31.61% rise among formal sector workers and 19.60% in the informal sector.
• Understanding of preventive measures increased by 21.24% overall, 18.25% among formal, and 23.43% among informal sector workers.
• Knowledge of key handwashing moments rose by 24.70% among formal workers and 27.66% among informal workers.
• Adoption of preventive practices improved by 15.95% overall, 16.97% in the formal sector, and 15.41% in the informal sector.
• Dietary diversity among working women increased by 11.58% overall, with a 22.30% improvement in the formal sector.
• Awareness of Social Safety Net Programs (SSNPs) improved by 16.26% for informal sector workers.
• Knowledge of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) services increased by 23.43% overall, 15.50% among formal, and 28.51% among informal sector workers.

Stakeholder Participation and Recommendations

Mr. Mohammad Nora Alam Siddique, Additional Secretary of the Medical Education and Family Welfare Division (MoHFW), and Dr. Halida Hanum Akhter, Member of the Women Affairs Reform Commission and Senior Faculty at Johns Hopkins University, attended the event.

Mr. Siddique emphasized the importance of sharing these findings with policymakers: “We must evaluate and align our initiatives with these insights. The MoHFW is committed to cross-sector collaboration for systemic improvement.”

Dr. Sarah Salway, Senior Director of icddr,b’s Health Systems and Population Studies Division, gave the vote of thanks. Professor Dr. Tahmina Shirin, Director of IEDCR and Co-Principal Investigator of the study, concluded the event by stressing the importance of evidence-based, collaborative strategies to strengthen future pandemic response systems.

The study recommended capacity building for government stakeholders and expanding social protection coverage for working women in urban poverty.