System and method for monitoring hand hygiene of a user. The system includes a handheld electronic device for being carried by the user to generate device data such as location data. A portable dispenser assembly is worn by the user to dispense disinfectant fluid from a container in a plurality of dispensing events. The assembly includes an electronics unit that generates event data relating to the dispensing events. The assembly is separate from the handheld electronic device yet configured to communicate with the handheld electronic device. A monitoring system receives the device data and the event data relating to the dispensing events for evaluating the hand hygiene of the user.