On Women's Day, a new Godrej DEI Lab and CEDA Report Calls for Bold Action on Women's Career Comebacks

MUMBAI, India, March 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Godrej Industries Group's DEI Lab, in collaboration with the Centre for Economic Data and Analysis (CEDA), Ashoka University recently launched 'The Returnship Road', a new report highlighting solutions to persistent challenges faced by women seeking to re-enter the workforce after career breaks. Authored by the CEDA team led by renowned economist Dr. Ashwini Deshpande, the report was launched during an event hosted by Godrej DEI Lab to celebrate Women at Work.

Speaking on the occasion, Sumit Mitra, Head - Group HR and Corporate Services, Godrej Industries Group, said, "Women's retention in the workforce and the longevity of women's careers is an issue we confront at almost every level and in every sector of the Indian economy. At the Godrej Industries Group, we strive to offer women the support they need at all stages of their lives to make the choice to return to work and to thrive when they do. Through our experiments with hiring programmes, ERGs, and policy support, across the different sectors we operate in, we hope to arrive at solutions and answers that we can share with the world. Our collaboration with CEDA, Ashoka University on building sustainable returnship programmes for women is a part of that quest."

The report recommends actionable strategies for reintegrating professionals after career breaks, focusing on older, returnee women as a key recruitment priority. It highlights tailored training, mentorship, and real-world projects to address skill gaps and rebuild confidence. Organizations that implement strong onboarding, track success metrics, and foster inclusivity through strategic industry partnerships report measurable improvements in women's retention, productivity and potential paths to leadership.

Parmesh Shahani, Head, Godrej DEI Lab, emphasized the importance of addressing these barriers, "Women who step away from their careers for caregiving or personal reasons deserve a fair chance to re-enter the workforce without bias or barriers. At the Godrej Industries Group, we are constantly making efforts to create pathways for talented women to rejoin the workforce with confidence and support. We have learned a lot from the companies who've participated in this report, and want to share it not just to highlight the problem but also to present a clear business case for change. Companies that embrace returnship programs are not only tapping into an invaluable pool of talent, but also driving lasting impact on workplace equity and diversity."

Women taking career breaks often face several challenges returning to work and also receive fewer hiring callbacks than those with uninterrupted careers. Structured returnship programs offer tailored support, flexible options, and mentorship, helping women reintegrate while boosting workforce participation, loyalty, and productivity. These programs provide employers with a reliable, skilled talent pool.

Dr. Ashwini Deshpande, Professor and Head of the Department of Economics and Academic Director at CEDA, Ashoka University, added, "The data leaves no room for doubt—welcoming back experienced women professionals is not just a gesture of inclusion but a strategic advantage for businesses. These women bring fresh perspectives, unmatched resilience, and a hunger to contribute. By enabling their return, companies can build dynamic, high-performing teams that are more reflective of our society and better equipped to drive innovation and growth."

The event also included a panel discussion on women's returnship and retention in the workforce. Moderated by Roshni Iyer, Godrej DEI Lab, other panellists included Shrayana Bhattacharya, Economist, World Bank, and author of 'Desperately Seeking Shah Rukh' (2021), Kalyani Roy, Chief Technology Officer, Accenture, Sumit Mitra, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), Godrej Industries Group, Nupur Garg, Founder, WinPe and Anupama Ratta, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), Tata Power Renewable Energy echoed that returnship programs not only enhance gender diversity but also provide businesses with a proven strategy to access a reliable and mature talent pool. By integrating flexibility into these programs, companies can expand their talent pool, improve retention, and contribute to India's economic and social progress.

About CEDA

The Centre for Economic Data and Analysis – CEDA – was founded in 2020 by the Economics Department at Ashoka University. The Centre's primary goal is to enable wider access to socio-economic data and to facilitate informed discourse about key economic and social developments in India. CEDA is currently working on an ambitious research-and-advocacy project to understand the demand-side barriers that keep women out of India's workforce and to identify strategies and measures that can address them. CEDA's work is available on its website: https://ceda.ashoka.edu.in/

About the Godrej DEi Lab

The Godrej DEi Lab, housed within the Godrej Industries Group, works on advancing diversity, equity and inclusion both within the Group and across corporate India. It was founded in 2023 and is headed by author and senior corporate leader Parmesh Shahani.

About Godrej Industries Group

The Godrej Industries Group (GIG) serves 1.1 billion consumers, globally, across businesses in diverse industries, including consumer products, real estate, agriculture, financial services and chemicals. Godrej was founded in 1897 to help build economic independence for India. We are committed to growing and strengthening this legacy of innovation for a cause; building for a more sustainable future, while placing our planet and people alongside profit.

GIG houses several rapidly growing businesses that are the leaders in their respective categories. Godrej Consumer Products (GCPL) is an emerging markets FMCG leader in Home and Personal Care, with a growing presence in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Godrej Properties (GPL) is India's leading real estate developer by sales and brings the Godrej philosophy of innovation, sustainability, and excellence to the real estate industry. Godrej Agrovet's (GAVL) portfolio businesses address key challenges faced by Indian agriculture, improving the productivity of Indian farmers through innovative products and services that sustainably increase crop and livestock yields. Godrej Industries (Chemicals), the group's oldest business, is India's leading manufacturer of oleochemicals and surfactants. Godrej Fund Management (GFM) is the real estate private equity arm of the group. Godrej Capital (GC), the newest company in the group, is a fast-growing financial services business.

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