The United States has repatriated a Chinese national suspected of drug smuggling and trafficking to China. This marks a significant development in bilateral cooperation on narcotics control. The handover occurred based on information provided by China's anti-drug authorities
The Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said that the Budget Session of Parliament will be reconvened on April 16 for three days to introduce “important bills”, ANI reported. Reports indicated that the extension to the ongoing session, which was to end on Thursday
Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane, usually composed during media interactions, delivered a blunt response to those questioning his batting style after his team’s 65-run loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL on Thursday, April 2. Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane
Delhi-NCR witnessed a dust storm on Friday morning. IMD has predicted thunderstorms, rain and strong winds. AQI hit 218 in “poor” category. Residents of Delhi and its adjoining areas, including Noida, woke up to a dust storm and hazy conditions as a sudden shift in weather swept across the
The 'Maamla Legal Hai' actor stressed on the importance of gaining recognition as an actor for the content creators to receive good opportunities in the entertainment industry. New Delhi: Actress Kusha Kapila called the common critical notion of casting content creators in the OTT series and movies
Beyond maternity leave: Reintegration is the real test of inclusion for mothers
Beyond maternity leave: Reintegration is the real test of inclusion for mothers Premium
When conversations about women representation in the workforce come up, maternity leave and related challenges is always a point of contention. However, the real challenge is not the leave itself, but the noise and clutter around it. Streamlining the entire journey and experience, from pregnancy to reintegration into the workplace, determines whether women remain, prosper, or quietly depart.
According to the Marching Sheep Inclusion Index 2025, 63% of listed Indian companies do not have women in Key Managerial Positions (KMP). Representation thins out as roles become senior. Another stark reality: multiple studies show that nearly 46% of women in India drop out of the workforce within two years of maternity. Motherhood is still among the largest reasons why women drop off the corporate ladder. These statistics are important because they identify where the talent pipeline starts thinning.
To really understand why so many women step away from work after motherhood, we have to peel back the layers of pressure they carry every single day.
Family expectations: In most households, it's still presumed that caregiving is a woman's natural responsibility. Even if both parents are employed, majority of the household chores and caregiving usually fall on the mother. Extended families, though supportive in many ways, can sometimes perpetuate the gender norms: “The child needs the mother more.”
Societal norms: The stereotype of a good mother is too often defined as one who is always available for the child and takes care of nutrition, academics, hobbies, and everything. Anything less leads to guilt, feeling inadequate.
Pursuing professional goals with full focus after childbirth seems like an uphill task. Whether or not openly criticised, new mothers find themselves constantly defending their choices, to neighbours, relatives, even friends.
Struggles within: In addition to what others may want, there is also the inner struggle. Long sleepless nights, physical fatigue, and the bouts of emotions that accompany motherhood make new mothers question themselves. Most question: “Am I selfish in prioritising my career? Will my child suffer?” Guilt and self-doubt becomes a constant companions.
Organisational systems: Then there's the workplace. Coming back to work after maternity leave is supposed to be like homecoming, but it feels more like entering a war zone. Inflexible policies, no work flexibility, no access to childcare and sometimes even apathy from managers and team seems like being alone.
True, the mother has been away for six months or more, and the team would have shared the extra workload and they would have waited for her to return, but now that she is back, what next? The truth is, women don't drop out because they can't cope. They drop out because the world around them makes it far harder than it should be.
The impact of working women exiting workplaces is not invisible.
• For organisations: Trained talent is lost, business continuity suffers, and replacement costs add up. A Deloitte report estimated that replacing a mid-level employee costs anywhere between 150–200% of their annual salary. Culture also takes a hit when women disappear from leadership pipelines.
• For the economy: India's female labour force participation rate is about 37% in 2024 (PLFS data), one of the lowest among emerging economies. If women participated at the same rate as men, India's GDP could rise by nearly 27% (McKinsey Global Institute). Dropouts stall this growth.
• For society: Every time a mother leaves the workforce, stereotypes about women not lasting long in careers get reinforced. This slows down progress on gender parity.
Even international research points to the same trends. It is estimated that by 2023, 40% women will either be single or choose not to have children. In India, with increasing number of women delaying to get married or even putting off marriage or having children at an older age, the demand for greater workplace support becomes even more pressing.
It is true that companies cannot rewrite family dynamics or erase social expectations overnight. But they do have a circle of control and that is where the biggest difference can be made.
Organisations can:
• Shape policies and practices that go beyond statutory maternity leave.
• Train and sensitise managers to respond with empathy when a woman announces her pregnancy and returns from maternity leave.
• Create systems that enable women to transition back without penalty on role, increments or bonuses.
When companies proactively manage this integration, the impact does not remain confined to the office. It sends a signal to families, to society, and to young women entering the workforce that careers and motherhood can co-exist.
The return to work is not a single event. It is a journey that begins the day a woman shares her pregnancy news and continues until she feels fully integrated again.
• The moment of disclosure matters: If the manager reacts with worry or disappointment, women tend to hide or delay the news. This creates fear and uncertainty about the future role and career. A response rooted in curiosity, empathy and reassurance sets a different tone.
• Policy support is critical: Flexible hours, phased return options, childcare facilities, and support for remote work help women transition at their own pace without impacting role, deliverables and accountability.
• Addressing the emotional layer: Many women experience imposter syndrome “Am I good enough anymore?” Coaching, counselling, and peer support groups can help deal with this emotional turmoil.
• Active listening: HR and managers must tune in to subtle signals of distress. Withdrawal, hesitation, or declining participation in meetings are clear signals of waning engagement and need to be addressed.
• Role models matter: Women who see seniors balancing motherhood and leadership are more likely to believe that their own careers are sustainable.
When organisations view maternity as a complete journey from pregnancy to reintegration they retain not just employees, but also their trust.
Reintegration is not just a good-to-have. It directly impacts:
Retention: When women feel seen and supported, and set up for success after maternity, they stay. They grow professionally and climb ladders instead of stepping away from them.
Productivity: A mother who returns to a workplace that offers flexibility and trust brings with her an incredible sense of focus and resilience. With the appropriate systems in place, a mother doesn't merely come back, she flourishes.
Profitability: According to Marching Sheep Inclusion Index 2025 firms with higher women representation in senior positions don't merely look good on paper, but they actually perform better.
Reputation: How an organisation treats a returning mother during this critical stage becomes part of its brand's identity. Therefore, the message is clear: A company shouldn't just hire talent, but must stand by it. That reputation draws in not only women but talent of every gender who value fairness and humanity at work.
Ultimately, the question is simple: Do we want maternity to be the point where careers stagger, or do we want it to be just another phase in a thriving professional journey? India's workforce cannot afford the loss of talent that happens when mothers leave. Reintegration is not charity, nor is it policy on paper. It is about building a workplace where women do not feel like they are returning after a break because they never truly left.
Published - September 26, 2025 05:50 pm IST
Women's Representation / education / careers
Source: The Hindu
Related Posts: MP Upendra Kushwaha seeks fairer representation in parliament for Bihar and UP Representation to red flags RJD not to have representation in Rajya Sabha by next state polls SC asks Law panel to consider representation challenging applicability of Hindu laws to Buddhists Muslim representation debate flares up in Bihar Shashi Tharoor questions India’s representation at Gaza Peace Summit Looking for conversations around tech development without losing value system OpenAI routes sensitive conversations to GPT-5 Instant— What users need to know OpenAI can finally stop saving deleted ChatGPT conversations Why More Conversations Didn’t Always Translate Into Healing
Kerala once made history with the world’s first democratically elected Communist government. Sixty-seven years later, it is the Left’s only ruling state in India. Meanwhile, it vanished from West Bengal after 34 years in power and lost even Opposition status in Tripura
4 hours ago
NSE, BSE Holiday List 2026: India is observing Good Friday today, April 3, a key Christian festival marked by solemn observances across the country. According to the official holiday calendar, trading on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the BSE remains shut for the day
4 hours ago
I set out from Visakhapatnam with the misplaced confidence of someone who has only admired adventure sports from a comfortable distance. The road to Rayagada, in southern Odisha, carries no sense of urgency. It moves through farm fields, past Bobbili and Parvathipuram
4 hours ago
Chadha in his message to the ‘aam aadmi’, said that whenever he got a chance to speak in the Parliament, he utilised the opportunity to raise the issues of the common people. Hours after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) moved to replace MP Raghav Chadha as the party’s deputy leader in the Rajya
4 hours ago
For a format born out of evasion, the speakeasy has found a surprisingly stable home in Delhi. This is a city that has never been uneasy with discretion; if anything, it has long understood that some pleasures are heightened by selective access
4 hours ago
These commitments are expected to rise by around 45 per cent this year, potentially crossing $180 billion. New Delhi: India’s data centre (DC) capacity is projected to grow by around 30 per cent year-on-year in 2026, driven by strong demand and continued investor interest
4 hours ago
Zeenat Aman recalls struggling to push Amitabh Bachchan in wheelchair in Don: ‘It was awfully difficult'Zeenat Aman reflected on her experience playing Roma in Don, recalling the challenges of a specific scene with Amitabh Bachchan. Apr 3, 2026
4 hours ago
Tech Tonic - HDMI, USB-C and history repeating itselfWe survived the HDMI mess, hoped to do better, and then rebuilt the exact same complication with a smaller connector. Published on: Apr 03, 2026 9:29 AM IST By Vishal Mathur Share via Copy link It’s actually great that USB-C cables are
4 hours ago
Khunti (Jharkhand), Apr 3 (PTI) Three children, including two brothers, allegedly drowned while taking a bath in a pond in Jharkhand’s Khunti district, a senior police officer said on Friday. The incident took place in Gafu Badka Toli village in Torpa police station area on Thursday evening
4 hours ago
The Delhi High Court ordered the immediate takedown of the song 'Volume 1' by rappers Yo Yo Honey Singh and Badshah from all digital platforms. Mumbai: The Delhi High Court has ordered the removal of rappers Yo Yo Honey Singh and Badshah's controversial song ‘Volume 1’ from all social media and
4 hours ago
In the 1960s Ed Dwight was the first Black astronaut candidate — but he never got his chance to go to the Moon. He said he's now living out that once-denied dream vicariously through Victor Glover, who is set to make history on the Artemis 2 Moon mission that could take off as soon as Wednesday
4 hours ago
2026 Suzuki Burgman Street 125: Suzuki Motorcycle India has introduced the second-generation Burgman Street 125 in the domestic market, bringing a range of updates in design, features and underpinnings. 2026 Suzuki Burgman Street 125: Suzuki Motorcycle India has introduced the second-generation
4 hours ago
United States Army chief Randy George on Thursday retired with immediate effect amid the conflict in West Asia. CBS News quoted unidentified officials as saying that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had asked George to step down because he wants an officer who will implement his and President Donald
4 hours ago
Raghav Chadha breaks silence after AAP drops him from Rajya Sabha post: ‘Have I done something wrong?’Raghav Chadha breaks silence after AAP drops him from Rajya Sabha Updated on: Apr 03, 2026 10:55 AM IST By HT News Desk Share via Copy link AAP MP Raghav Chadha on Friday issued his first
4 hours ago
Commercial LPG Supply Boost: The Uttarakhand government has rolled out a revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for commercial LPG distribution to manage rising demand and ensure supply stability, replacing the earlier guidelines.Commercial LPG Supply Boost: The Uttarakhand government has
4 hours ago
Gemma 4 imbibes Google’s sharpest AI instincts, and is more welcomingGoogle’s Gemma 4 open models make a strong case for an open AI that can run locally, with an eye on competition from China Published on: Apr 03, 2026 9:13 AM IST By Vishal Mathur Share via Copy link Even as Google releases the
4 hours ago
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has asked Army Chief of Staff Randy George to step down from his post, according to CBS News, the BBC's US partner. Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement on social media that George "will be retiring from his position as the 41st Chief of
4 hours ago
Middle East war: Iran reports shooting down a US F-35 fighter jet over its territory. This comes as Iran also launched missiles towards Israel. The US Central Command has not yet confirmed the F-35 incident. Earlier, three US F-15E aircraft were downed in Kuwait due to friendly fire during
4 hours ago
Google CEO Sundar Pichai set to return to Stanford University as a commencement speaker: ‘It’s a privilege’The CEO has a master’s degree in materials science and engineering from Stanford University. Updated on: Apr 03, 2026 8:27 AM IST By Sakshi Sah Share via Copy link Google CEO Sundar
4 hours ago
The SRH bowling unit was under scrutiny after their first Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 match against the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Chasing a formidable target of 202, RCB reached the finish line with 26 balls to spare
4 hours ago
Published - April 01, 2026 11:20 am IST The Hindu Quizzes Published - April 01, 2026 11:20 am IST The Hindu Quizzes
4 hours ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.No more ‘Can you repeat that?’: Top noise-cancelling earphones for better office callsNoisy office environments can hinder calls. These earphones can improve clarity during calls
4 hours ago
A special session of Parliament will be convened for three days beginning April 16 to pass key Constitution amendment bills aimed at increasing the number of Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 816, enabling the implementation of the women’s reservation law at the earliest
4 hours ago
The four astronauts on the Artemis II mission have now left the Earth's orbit, after their Orion spacecraft fired its main engine for a final push towards the Moon. The five minute and 55 second engine burn, known as the translunar injection (TLI), went "flawlessly"
4 hours ago
iQOO Z11x 5G Review: The smartphone delivers strong performance, a big 7200mAh battery, and solid durability at a budget price. It runs on Android 16 with long-term updates and handles gaming smoothly, though the camera is average and the LCD display is not the best
4 hours ago
The Directorate of Education (DoE) has issued one of its strictest directives yet, aiming to curb the exploitation of parents by private schools in Delhi, particularly with the new academic session approaching. The administration has made it clear that education cannot be treated as a commercial
4 hours ago
Having reached the World Group playoffs for only the second time last year, the Indian women’s tennis team would be hoping to repeat the feat while playing at home for the second successive time when the Billie Jean King Cup Asia/Oceania Group I gets underway here from April 7
4 hours ago
