Twenty-six per cent of women who take a career break do so for motherhood, according to BRAC, which analysed the profiles of 1,100 women under its Bridge Returnship Programme for women professionals.
BRAC officially launched the initiative on Thursday at an event held at BRAC Inn in the capital鈥檚 Mohakhali to support women returning to the workforce after a career break.
Among other reasons, 6.3 per cent of women left their jobs due to social pressure, 2.5 per cent for family responsibilities, and 0.7 per cent due to a toxic workplace environment, while many did not specify their reasons.
Under the Bridge Returnship Programme, BRAC has selected 15 women to work with various BRAC programmes for six months. Additionally, 100 shortlisted candidates will receive skills development training, mentorship, leadership guidance, and other professional development opportunities.
Despite these opportunities, organisers said that they would also connect skilled professionals with other non-government organisations, private companies, and corporate entities.
BRAC executive director Asif Saleh said that a significant number of women in Bangladesh left jobs at their mid-career stage although women鈥檚 participation was notable at the entry level.
鈥楪irls鈥� participation in school is higher than that of boys, but we do not know where they disappear later,鈥� he said.
He emphasised the need for developing daycare facilities and ensuring women-friendly workplaces to boost female employment in the country.
鈥楨very woman is a superwoman. Employing women is not corporate social responsibility, but rather it is a better option to access skilled manpower,鈥� he added.
Women who had experienced career gaps shared their experiences at the event, stating that although they were unwilling to leave their jobs, they were compelled to do so to care for their children.
They said that when they later sought employment, they faced insensitive questions and were not treated as equal candidates.
They called for a change in workplace culture and urged an end to discriminatory hiring practices.
BRAC senior director Moutushi Kabir said that a career break should not be seen as a weakness but as something that makes individuals stronger and more courageous.
Several heads of human resource departments from various banks, industries, corporate organisations, and NGOs also spoke at the event.
