BRAC launches 'Bridge Returnship' programme for women re-entering the workforce

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

The announcement was made at a press conference on Thursday (13 March), at the BRAC Centre in Mohakhali. The programme has selected 15 women from nearly 1,100 applicants 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 primary goal of the programme is to support women returning to the workforce after a career break. Over the course of six months, participants will receive hands-on training, professional development support, expert guidance, and confidence-building initiatives to ease their transition back into employment.

Upon successful completion, participants will be recommended for employment within BRAC and its partner organisations, including NGOs and leading corporate entities, helping them secure positions that align with their expertise. 

BRAC's Executive Director, Asif Saleh, addressed the event, while Moutushi Kabir, senior director of People, Culture, and Communications at BRAC, moderated the session and responded to questions from the media.

Asif Saleh remarked, "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 always reflected in leadership roles. To close this gap, we must prioritise hiring, retaining, and advancing women at mid-to-senior levels. Businesses must recognise this not just as Corporate Social Responsibility or a diversity initiative, but as a strategic imperative for success."

Moutushi Kabir also addressed the perception that career breaks are a weakness. She stated that taking a career break requires immense courage and a willingness to take risks, and that the programme aims to honour that courage.

The application process revealed key insights into the challenges women face when re-entering the workforce. Among applicants, 25.8% cited motherhood as the primary reason for their career break, followed by social pressure (6.3%), family responsibilities (2.5%), and toxic workplace environments (0.7%). 

Their motivations for joining the programme were centred around career growth (34.5%), financial independence (32%), boosting confidence (22.7%), and supporting their families (10.8%).

At the event, selected participants of the programme, including Mouree Israt Khan, Elizabeth Marandy, Farah Mahboob, Tarana Mustary, and Iffat Sultana, participated in a discussion. Amit Kanti Sarker, associate director of BRAC's Microfinance programme, and Samin Nower Kashmy, head of Innovation at the Social Innovation Lab, also shared their insights. 

Representatives from various organisations, including Unilever Bangladesh, BRAC Bank, City Bank, Grameenphone, and GPH Ispat, attended the event and participated in the Q&A session.