How companies can help women return to work and rise again

Women’s Day conversations often begin with celebration. But for many women at work, the real question is what happens after the applause fades. Across companies, the message is becoming sharper: meaningful progress depends on systems that support women not just to enter the workplace, but to return, grow, lead and stay.

From Celebration to Career Continuity

“This International Women’s Day, we at Orient Technologies believe the focus must shift from celebration to sustained action. Talent is not scarce; retention and progression systems are and strengthening them will define the next decade for women in tech. Structured mentorship and guidance are especially critical for women returning to work, enabling renewed confidence, capability and career continuity. Inclusion must be powered by capability building, not just campaigns, with focused reskilling in high-growth areas such as AI, cloud and cybersecurity. Through our 2nd Inning program, we are committed to building clear pathways for women to return, upskill and lead in the decade ahead.”

— Ridhima Sawant, Chief Transformation Officer, Orient Technologies Limited

Women as Architects of the Future of Work

“On International Women’s Day, the focus must move beyond representation to women shaping strategy, governance and enterprise-wide decisions. As technology redefines employment, women in leadership are not just participants in transformation but architects of it. At Blue Cloud Softech Solutions, we believe inclusive leadership strengthens resilience, sharpens decision-making and drives sustainable value creation. When women build and lead companies, they create ecosystems that expand opportunity, embed accountability and cultivate trust. The future of work will be defined by institutions designed by leaders who enable others to rise.”

— Janaki Yarlagadda, Chairman, Blue Cloud Softech Solutions 

Creating Systems That Enable Women to Grow, Lead and Thrive

“Progress for women in the workplace is achieved through sustained investment in systems that foster growth, resilience and leadership readiness. When organisations commit resources, attention and accountability to women’s advancement, they strengthen not only individual careers but the overall talent ecosystem. Building leadership confidence and long-term career pathways for women requires consistent, structured institutional support. To enable this, we conduct quarterly learning interventions, such as our LeadHERship sessions, designed to enhance leadership skills, along with personal branding and financial awareness programmes that strengthen capability and self-advocacy, and help women build the skills, confidence and self-advocacy needed for career progression.

Equally important is holistic well-being. We therefore organise women-focused health initiatives, including breast cancer screenings and wellness programmes tailored to their unique needs. These efforts are guided by our dedicated Women’s Committee, which meets quarterly to evaluate progress and introduce customised interventions that ensure sustained impact. When women are supported to grow, lead and thrive, the benefits extend far beyond individuals, strengthening teams, culture and business outcomes. As we observe this International Women’s Day, we reaffirm our commitment to empowering women through intentional development, inclusive opportunities and continuous support.”

— Sujendra GS, VP, Human Resources, Creative Synergies Group

Turning Skills into Sustainable Success

“Women are not just contributors to economic growth; they are catalysts of transformation. At Aptech, our 40-year journey in skill development has focused on bridging opportunity gaps and equipping women with the expertise, confidence and industry exposure needed to thrive. Our skilling programmes are designed not only to enhance employability but also to encourage entrepreneurship and content creation, enabling many women to build independent careers and even start ventures of their own. From classrooms to creative studios and digital workplaces, we are proud to see women turning skills into sustainable livelihoods. This Women’s Day, let us move beyond celebration and collectively create ecosystems where every woman has access to the tools, training and trust needed to succeed and lead.”

— Sandip Weling, Whole-time Director and Chief Business Officer, Global Retail, Aptech