SAN FRANCISCO, CA "“ March 25, 2008 "“ Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) has launched a new Web site dedicated to HERproject (www.herproject.org), an initiative that addresses the unmet general and reproductive health needs of the millions of women working along global supply chains.

The Web site for HERproject, which stands for Health Enables Returns, highlights pilot project activities and results in China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan and Vietnam. Companies and NGOs can learn how improving women factory workers' health education and access to critical services provides a demonstrated return on investment, including increased productivity and reduced absenteeism and turnover.

"This project holds immense potential to enable economic and social advancement for millions of women," said Aron Cramer, President and CEO of BSR. "It focuses attention on a critical "“ and overlooked "“ question: how to improve the distinct health needs of women who are producing goods for export. We are proud to look at global manufacturing through the prism of women's health, which has proven to be a key to economic development," he said.

As an example, BSR partnered with Nordstrom over the last year for HERproject pilot programs in China, where women comprise more than half of the manufacturing industry’s workforce. The pilot projects educated female factory workers through peer awareness health training, with a focus on HIV/AIDS prevention. As a result, about 5,000 female workers were positively impacted through information sharing and awareness raising, factory managers expressed strong support for the program and were pleased with increased employee engagement, and workers demonstrated significantly improved knowledge of HIV/AIDS infection and prevention.

HERproject is made possible through generous funding from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. In February 2008, BSR received an additional $200,000 from the Packard Foundation to support the continued growth of HERproject through 2010. This expanded funding will enable increased company participation and the engagement of a growing number of local factory owners. Most importantly, it will enable HERproject to impact more female workers in the global supply chain.

Other brands currently involved in HERproject include Abercrombie & Fitch, HP, Levis Strauss & Company, and Timberland.

The HERproject Web site includes country-specific information and materials, ROI tools and research, and links to additional resources. Companies and NGOs that are interested in learning more about HERproject should contact Chad Bolick, BSR Director, CSR Strategy, at cbolick@bsr.org or +1 415 984 3208.

About BSR

Since 1992, Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) has been providing socially responsible business solutions to many of the world's leading corporations. Headquartered in San Francisco and with offices in New York, Paris, Guangzhou, Beijing and Hong Kong, BSR is a nonprofit business association that serves its 250 member companies and other Global 1000 enterprises. Through advisory services, convenings and research, BSR works with corporations and concerned stakeholders of all types to create a more just and sustainable global economy. For more information, visit www.bsr.org.

BSR

BSR

Since 1992, Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) has been providing socially responsible business solutions to many of the world's leading corporations. Headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in Europe and China, BSR is a nonprofit business association that serves its 250 member companies and other Global 1000 enterprises. Through advisory services, convenings and research, BSR works with corporations and concerned stakeholders of all types to create a more just and sustainable global economy. For more information, visit www.bsr.org.

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