SUPPORTING NEW MOTHERS GETTING BACK TO WORK

We tackle the important and underdeveloped topic of helping new mothers ease back into their professional roles, looking at the progress that’s still needed to help working women with families.

Motherhood is a great equaliser, transcending societal boundaries and personal backgrounds. Regardless of your social status, education, nationality or income, the uncharted territory of parenthood is always an unpredictable journey, from the potentially difficult path to pregnancy to nine months of childbearing and everything that comes after.

HELP AND EQUALITY

Supporting new mums back to work is not just an issue that deeply affects many women – it can also be framed as a societal obligation. Empowering women to smoothly reintegrate into their professional lives after the life-altering experience of motherhood is crucial for fostering gender equality, a varied talent pool to draw from all the way up the company structure and the overall wellbeing of women in our society.

A BIG DECISION

Whether it’s your first little one or you’re expanding your family, the dynamics shift dramatically, catching even the most prepared woman off guard. In this modern world where many families rely on two incomes, returning to work after having children is a necessary step for most and for plenty of women, it’s also a continuation of their self-identity and career. The decision to return to work after maternity leave is inherently fraught with mixed emotions - excitement at embracing the professional realm once again, but also guilt at leaving little ones behind. In the UAE, where family values are deeply rooted, this struggle is very common. Employers, communities and regional policy all play pivotal roles in ensuring this transition is as accessible as possible for new mums.

NEW NEEDS