Most professional women leave their jobs due to family responsibilities and maternity. According to information given by the applicants at the time of applying, around 75% of the BRIDGE Returnship applicants have cited taking voluntary or forced career breaks for these reasons.
To support women in returning to the workforce, BRAC has launched the Bridge Returnship program.
A media briefing on the initiative was held on Thursday at BRAC Centre in Mohakhali, Dhaka. Moutushi Kabir, Chief People and Culture Officer at BRAC, delivered the welcome speech and responded to questions from journalists. Nazibul Islam Priom, assistant general manager of BRAC’s Early Career & Employer Brand team, was also present.
This year, the program received over 1,200 applications. After multiple stages of screening and evaluation, 24 women were selected to participate in BRAC’s various initiatives over the next six months.
Participants will receive skill development training, leadership workshops, and mentoring. The program will also connect them with NGOs, private companies, and leading corporate organizations, enabling these professionals to secure opportunities aligned with their qualifications and experience.
Moutushi Kabir noted that Fazle Hasan Abed, the founder of BRAC, once said: “I have never seen a defeated woman in my life.” She explained that this belief serves as the foundation of the Bridge Returnship program. According to her, taking a career break should not be viewed as a sign of weakness.
Leaving an established career is a significant decision that involves considerable risk, but it does not reflect a lack of competence. The program aims to provide women with opportunities to rejoin the workforce, take on leadership roles, and make meaningful contributions.
The initiative specifically targets women who have had to leave their professions for various reasons and helps them reintegrate into the workforce. Participants will engage in project management, research, and other assignments across BRAC’s programs, contributing directly to departmental goals and outcomes.
Analysis of applicant data revealed that 38.8% of women cited family responsibilities and 36% cited maternity as the primary reasons for leaving their jobs. Other factors included personal reasons (18.8%), pursuing higher education (14.4%), hostile work environments (8.5%), and social pressures (4.7%).
The main motivations for returning to work included career advancement (76.5%), building a personal identity (62.2%), increased self-confidence (57.7%), financial independence (56.5%), and supporting their families (42.7%).
During a panel discussion at the event, Bridge Returnship participants Elizabeth Marandi and Farah Mahbub shared their experiences.
Farah Mahbub explained that she had taken a career break after the birth of her child. When she later began applying for jobs, many organizations rejected her or questioned her ability to work while caring for a baby. Feeling discouraged, she eventually discovered BRAC’s Bridge Returnship program.
She added, “Having a daycare facility at BRAC gave me the confidence to work and pursue my dream of returning to my professional life.”
The Bridge Returnship program was first launched last year. In its inaugural edition, 15 participants were selected from approximately 1,100 applicants.
