RUG Leads Health Insurance Drive and Reproductive Health Education for Women Waste Pickers
In a milestone step toward social and health equity, RUG has initiated a large-scale campaign to organize the registration and renewal of health insurance for women waste pickers. This initiative is aimed at safeguarding the health and dignity of one of society’s most underepresented labor groups. RUG is setting a precedent for inclusive, community-led action in urban health care access.
Bridging the Health Gap for Informal Workers
Women waste pickers, who form a significant section of the informal labor sector, face hazardous working conditions, minimal social security, and almost non-existent health coverage. The health insurance initiative is one of the key achievements of RUG’s Women in Circularity (WIC) project. RUG offers this as a support to the women in this enterprise. RUG works closely with waste picker networks and recognizes that the lack of health insurance is one of the most pressing issues affecting women workers’ well-being and financial stability.
At Recycle Up Ghana (RUG), we are dedicated to building sustainable solutions to Ghana’s plastic waste crisis while promoting social inclusion and economic empowerment. A key part of our mission is supporting women working in the informal waste sector—an often overlooked but critical part of the circular economy.
Through our Women in Circularity Initiative, we are proud to uplift and empower these women by focusing on three core pillars:
1. Improving Health and Safety
We believe no one should risk their life or well-being to earn a living. That’s why we provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and health insurance to women waste workers, helping them carry out their work safely and with dignity. This support helps reduce occupational hazards, builds trust, and affirms their value in the ecosystem.
2. Reproductive Health Education
As part of the program organized by RUG, a health talk was conducted focusing on reproductive health. The session specifically addressed breast cancer prevention, where women were educated on the importance of regular breast self-examinations and were encouraged to allow their partners to assist in checking for lumps as an additional preventive measure.
Participants were also counseled on the importance of adhering to prescribed medications and advised to minimize self-medication and the use of over-the-counter drugs without professional guidance.
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