Reviving India’s Female Workforce: Return ship Programs and Beyond

Returning to work after an extended hiatus can be daunting, especially for women who face personal, professional, and societal challenges. Career breaks due to life events like childbirth or caregiving responsibilities can significantly impact women’s careers. Since women comprise nearly half of the global workforce, it’s not just a social and moral imperative but also a crucial business issue to create environments that facilitate their return and success.

Systemic issues hinder women’s return to work, including limited job opportunities, inflexible work cultures, non-inclusive workplaces, skill obsolescence, and pay disparities. To address these challenges, returnship programs have emerged as a valuable solution. These programs empower women to refresh their skills, gain experience, and reconnect with the professional world, ultimately boosting their confidence and career prospects.

Returnship programs acknowledge that career breaks shouldn’t hinder growth. They provide training and upskilling opportunities, allowing women to resume their careers confidently. At an organizational level, these programs can increase female representation in leadership roles, address gender disparities, and promote diversity and inclusion. By enabling women to re-enter the workforce at a level commensurate with their skills, these programs can bridge gender pay gaps, enhance productivity, and foster loyalty among employees.

However, it’s crucial to go beyond return ship programs. A truly inclusive and fair workplace culture that empowers women is essential. The ultimate goal of a successful return ship program is not just to bring women back to work but to create an environment where they can thrive and build fulfilling, long-lasting careers.

Re-reported from the article originally published in The Yourstory