FPA Sri Lanka conducted an awareness session and provided an overview of the upcoming research study, “Awareness, Help-Seeking and Barriers to Medical Services for Breast and Cervical Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Female Factory Workers in the Wathupitiwala Export Processing Zone,” for HR representatives of factories in the Wathupitiwala Export Processing Zone.

The study aims to better understand female factory workers’ awareness, help-seeking behaviours, and barriers to accessing breast and cervical cancer screening and medical services. The findings will help strengthen evidence-based workplace health promotion and improve access to early detection services.

The session was facilitated by Dr. Manoj Fernando, Dean, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, and Dr. Nilangani Perera, Medical Officer, Wathupitiwala Base Hospital. The research will be led and coordinated by FPA Sri Lanka’s Monitoring & Evaluation Unit in collaboration with the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, participating factories, government health sector stakeholders, and other partners.

Together, we are working towards improving access to life-saving screening services and promoting healthier workplaces for women.