BRAC launches 'BRIDGE Returnship' for returning women professionals

BRAC has officially launched the 'Bridge Returnship' programme, an initiative designed to support women re-entering the workforce after a career break.

Of nearly 1,100 applicants, 15 have been selected to work with various BRAC programmes for six months. Additionally, 100 shortlisted candidates will receive skills development training, leadership workshops, mentoring, and other professional development opportunities. The programme will also facilitate connections between these skilled professionals and NGOs, private organisations, and leading corporate entities, enabling them to secure employment aligned with their expertise.

The announcement was made at a press meeting held on Thursday, 13 March, at the BRAC Centre in Mohakhali. BRAC's Executive Director, Asif Saleh, addressed the event. At the same time, Moutushi Kabir, Senior Director of People, Culture, and Communications at BRAC, moderated the session and responded to questions from the attending media representatives.

Speaking at the press meeting, Asif Saleh stated, "Women make exceptional leaders. As BRAC's founder, Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, emphasised, true leadership is rooted in empathy, resilience, and the ability to uplift others—qualities that women inherently embody. Yet, this is not reflected in leadership roles. To close this gap, we must prioritise hiring, retaining, and advancing women at mid-to-senior levels. The BRIDGE Returnship programme is designed precisely for this purpose, helping talented women with professional experience re-enter the workforce and ascend to leadership positions. Businesses must move beyond societal stereotypes and recognise this not as Corporate Social Responsibility or a diversity initiative, but as a strategic imperative for success."

Moutushi Kabir stated that many perceive taking a career break as a weakness, but it is a sign of courage. She added that stepping away from an established career requires immense bravery and a willingness to take risks, and the programme aims to honour that courage.

During the event, it was announced that the primary objective of the 'Bridge Returnship' programme is to assist women in re-entering the workforce after leaving their professions. Over six months, participants will receive hands-on training, professional development support, expert guidance, and confidence-building measures to ease their transition back into employment.

Findings from the application process were also shared, offering insights into the barriers women face when stepping away from and re-entering the workforce. Among the applicants, motherhood (25.8 per cent) was cited as the leading reason for taking a career break, followed by social pressure (6.3 per cent), family responsibilities (2.5 per cent), and toxic workplace environments (0.7 per cent). Meanwhile, their motivations for joining the 'BRIDGE Returnship' programme reflect a strong drive for professional and personal advancement: career growth (34.5 per cent), financial independence (32 per cent), boosting confidence (22.7 per cent), and supporting their families (10.8 per cent).

At the event, selected participants of the BRIDGE Returnship programme -- Mouree Israt Khan, Elizabeth Marandy, Farah Mahboob, Tarana Mustary, and Iffat Sultana—joined a discussion moderated by Moutushi Kabir. Amit Kanti Sarker, Associate Director of BRAC's Microfinance programme, and Samin Nower Kashmy, Head of Innovation at the Social Innovation Lab, shared their insights. Representatives from various organisations, including Unilever Bangladesh, BRAC Bank, City Bank, Grameenphone, GPH Ispat, Shwapno, the Canadian High Commission, and Grow n Excel, were also in attendance.

Shafiul Islam, Head of talent acquisition, employer branding, and HR analytics at City Bank; Sharmin Sultan, Chief People Officer at GPH Ispat; Farhana Sharmin Sumi, Senior HR Business Partner at BRAC Bank; M. Zulfiqar Hossain, Chief Executive Officer at Grow n Excel; and Shaila Rahman, Director and head of Service Delivery and Experience at People and Organisation at Grameenphone, shared their comments and concerns during the question-and-answer session.

The Bridge Returnship programme has been launched to advance women's professional development and enable them to contribute effectively to Bangladesh's ongoing development challenges. Upon completing the programme, participants will be recommended for employment within BRAC and its partner organisations.