Nutrition Programs to Improve Nutritional Status of Industrial Women Workers in Indonesia

Background/Aims: Over the last two decades, it is estimated that women work forces in industrial sector increases 4.3% annually. In particular, 78% workers in garment and textile industries are females. The Indonesian Government has a target to increase its total export values from textiles and garments to reach USD 75 billion by 2030 – bringing its total contribution towards global export values of 5%. This target will increase the number of women working long hours at the industrial sites leading to an increased risk of having nutritional problems if no prevention policies or interventions were in place. This analysis was aimed to assess nutritional status of women workers and to identify opportunities of policy options for improving the situation of women workers. Methods: A total of 44 in-depth interviews and quantitative field assessment were conducted at 18 textile and garment factories across three provinces of East Java, Central Java and West Java. Results: The nutritional status of women workers in Indonesia were varied, both undernourished and overweight were presents. Systematic measures to identify nutritional problems and nutrition interventions for women workers in Indonesia were very limited. The existing nutrition programs were local and sporadic in nature – even though the national guideline was available. Conclusions: The current policies and programs at national, provincial and company levels were not comprehensively addressed double burdens of malnutrition among woman workers.