In today’s evolving professional landscape, women are making remarkable strides in education and career advancement. However, many step away from their careers after marriage or motherhood to prioritize their families. When they seek to return, they often face numerous challenges, career stagnation, societal bias, and limited opportunities.
Recognizing this, WePOWER (a World Bank-supported network), IEEE, and iExplore Foundation for Sustainable Development have come together to champion a global movement: International Returning Mothers Day. This initiative is dedicated to acknowledging, supporting, and celebrating women who re-enter the workforce after career breaks.
The Birth of International Returning Mothers Day
Since 2014, the IEEE Returning Mothers Conference has provided women with a platform to restart their careers with confidence. Through mentorship, networking, and skill-building, this initiative has empowered thousands of women globally.
Taking this mission forward, International Returning Mothers Day was officially launched on November 15, 2024, at IISc Bangalore, during the IEEE Returning Mothers Conference. Set to be observed annually on September 10th, this day amplifies awareness, fosters workplace inclusivity, and strengthens support systems for returning mothers worldwide.
Why Returning Mothers Day Matters
Women returning to work bring immense expertise, resilience, and leadership, yet they frequently encounter challenges such as:
Resistance from workplaces due to career gaps.
Difficulties in balancing professional and family responsibilities.
The need for reskilling and career reintegration.
International Returning Mothers Day serves as a call to action for governments, organizations, and communities to actively support career re-entry, making workplaces more inclusive and adaptable to the evolving needs of working mothers.
Vision
To create a world where women who have taken a career break for motherhood are welcomed back into the workforce with equal opportunities, respect, and support, helping them rebuild their careers with confidence and fulfillment.
Mission
To raise global awareness about the challenges faced by returning mothers, advocate for inclusive work environments, and encourage policies that support their successful re-entry into the workforce. Through collaborations with global organizations, we aim to empower returning mothers by providing skill development, mentorship, and advocacy for gender equity in the workplace.
Key Objectives and Impact
Returning Mothers Day is more than a celebration, it’s a movement to drive meaningful change. Its core objectives include:
Empowerment & Recognition – Celebrating the resilience and contributions of returning mothers, fostering confidence and self-worth.
Inclusive Workplaces – Encouraging companies to adopt family-friendly policies and flexible work options.
Talent Retention – Helping businesses leverage a skilled and experienced workforce while reducing recruitment costs.
Skill Development & Mentorship – Providing women with upskilling opportunities, career coaching, and networking platforms.
Cultural Shift – Advocating for a workplace culture that values career breaks and encourages second career opportunities.
Stronger Communities – Building a global support network where returning mothers can share experiences, challenges, and success stories.
Key Actions to Support Returning Mothers
Building Awareness in Companies
Raise Awareness: Encourage companies to recognize the unique challenges returning mothers face and the value they bring to the workforce.
Educational Campaigns: Share success stories and data highlighting the positive impact of hiring and supporting returning mothers.
Leadership Engagement: Advocate for senior leadership to champion the cause and foster a supportive work culture for returning mothers.
Implementing Flexible Work Policies
Flexible Work Hours: Advocate for flexible working hours and remote work options to help returning mothers balance family and career responsibilities.
Paid Parental Leave: Encourage organizations to implement or enhance paid parental leave policies for both mothers and fathers to support family care.
Returnship Programs: Develop return-to-work programs specifically designed for mothers who have been on career breaks, offering them a pathway to resume their professional journey.
Workshops for Companies and Returning Women
Workshops for Companies: Conduct workshops to educate businesses about the benefits of hiring returning mothers and creating inclusive policies that support them.
Changing Attitudes: Focus on changing company attitudes towards career breaks, promoting the view that women returning after a break bring valuable life skills and experience.
Skill Enhancement: Organize skill development workshops for returning mothers, focusing on areas such as leadership, digital skills, and career transition strategies.
Breaking Stereotypes
Out of the Stereotypes: Challenge societal stereotypes around career breaks and motherhood, showing that women returning to the workforce are just as capable and motivated as anyone else.
Promote Role Models: Highlight stories of successful returning mothers who have overcome barriers and thrived in their careers to inspire others.
Encourage Positive Cultural Change: Foster a shift in cultural perceptions around career breaks, helping society understand that motherhood should not be seen as a setback but as an enriching experience.
Creating Supportive Networks
Mentorship Programs: Establish mentorship networks where returning mothers can connect with experienced professionals for guidance and advice.
Peer Support Groups: Facilitate peer support groups for returning mothers to share experiences, resources, and offer encouragement.
How You Can Get Involved
We invite companies, academic institutions, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations to collaborate with us in making International Returning Mothers Day a significant global event. Here's how you can participate:
Host or sponsor Returning Mothers Day activities within your organization.
Implement mentorship programs supporting career transitions for returning mothers.
Develop resources and support networks for returning mothers.
Create family-friendly workplace policies that promote work-life balance.
Promote the Returning Mothers Day mission through internal and external channels, helping raise awareness and drive change.
Together, through WePOWER, IEEE, and iExplore Foundation, we can redefine workforce dynamics, create inclusive opportunities, and build a future where no career break becomes a career barrier.
Join Us in Making a Difference
The International Returning Mothers Day is a celebration of the incredible women who are returning to the workforce after motherhood, and we invite you to join us in supporting this global movement. Together, we can create an inclusive, supportive, and empowering environment for all returning mothers.
Join us in celebrating International Returning Mothers Day on September 10th!
Blog » International Returning Mothers Day
International Returning Mothers Day
In today’s evolving professional landscape, women are making remarkable strides in education and career advancement. However, many step away from their careers after marriage or motherhood to prioritize their families. When they seek to return, they often face numerous challenges, career stagnation, societal bias, and limited opportunities.
Recognizing this, WePOWER (a World Bank-supported network), IEEE, and iExplore Foundation for Sustainable Development have come together to champion a global movement: International Returning Mothers Day. This initiative is dedicated to acknowledging, supporting, and celebrating women who re-enter the workforce after career breaks.
The Birth of International Returning Mothers Day
Since 2014, the IEEE Returning Mothers Conference has provided women with a platform to restart their careers with confidence. Through mentorship, networking, and skill-building, this initiative has empowered thousands of women globally.
Taking this mission forward, International Returning Mothers Day was officially launched on November 15, 2024, at IISc Bangalore, during the IEEE Returning Mothers Conference. Set to be observed annually on September 10th, this day amplifies awareness, fosters workplace inclusivity, and strengthens support systems for returning mothers worldwide.
Why Returning Mothers Day Matters
Women returning to work bring immense expertise, resilience, and leadership, yet they frequently encounter challenges such as:
International Returning Mothers Day serves as a call to action for governments, organizations, and communities to actively support career re-entry, making workplaces more inclusive and adaptable to the evolving needs of working mothers.
Vision
To create a world where women who have taken a career break for motherhood are welcomed back into the workforce with equal opportunities, respect, and support, helping them rebuild their careers with confidence and fulfillment.
Mission
To raise global awareness about the challenges faced by returning mothers, advocate for inclusive work environments, and encourage policies that support their successful re-entry into the workforce. Through collaborations with global organizations, we aim to empower returning mothers by providing skill development, mentorship, and advocacy for gender equity in the workplace.
Key Objectives and Impact
Returning Mothers Day is more than a celebration, it’s a movement to drive meaningful change. Its core objectives include:
Stronger Communities – Building a global support network where returning mothers can share experiences, challenges, and success stories.
Key Actions to Support Returning Mothers
How You Can Get Involved
We invite companies, academic institutions, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations to collaborate with us in making International Returning Mothers Day a significant global event. Here's how you can participate:
Together, through WePOWER, IEEE, and iExplore Foundation, we can redefine workforce dynamics, create inclusive opportunities, and build a future where no career break becomes a career barrier.
Join Us in Making a Difference
The International Returning Mothers Day is a celebration of the incredible women who are returning to the workforce after motherhood, and we invite you to join us in supporting this global movement. Together, we can create an inclusive, supportive, and empowering environment for all returning mothers.
Join us in celebrating International Returning Mothers Day on September 10th!
For more information, please visit ieeereturningmothers.in/rmday