‘Inclusive workstyle’ program attracts over 400 female caregivers seeking return to work

More than 400 female caregivers have signed up for the “Inclusive Workstyle Drive 2026,” an initiative designed to help women with family responsibilities reconnect with the workplace through short-term job experiences.

The program, organized by the social enterprise initiative “EmpowHER2B,” will run from March 9 to 20. Participants will be matched with companies, organizations and start-ups for a one-day workplace experience. More than 70 companies have joined the initiative as partners.

According to government statistics, around 560,000 women in Hong Kong have temporarily left the workforce because of family responsibilities. Another 100,000 women say they would consider returning to work if suitable opportunities arise.

Among last year’s participants was April, a mother of three who had been out of the workforce for eight years. Through the program, she was matched with an internship at Shui On Group and later secured employment at the East Kowloon Cultural Centre.

She has since taken on additional roles, including teaching artificial intelligence courses in schools and working as a project coordinator for a social innovation organization.

April said returning to work significantly boosted her confidence, adding that stepping back into the workplace allowed her to learn many new things and brought a sense of fulfillment that even surpassed her full-time job before becoming a mother.

She said sharing her work experiences with her family has also helped her children understand that their mother has her own goals and aspirations, enriching conversations within the family.

Another participant, Joanna, who has two children and had been away from work for more than a decade, also found new opportunities through last year’s program. She joined a brand under the Jebsen Group and has now been working there for more than six months.

Joanna recalled that her colleagues were welcoming when she first joined, which helped her regain confidence in adapting to the workplace. In addition to her daily work, she has taken part in company activities, which she said not only increased her income but also helped her rediscover her sense of self-worth and improved family relationships.

She encouraged women to take the first step in exploring their career direction and understanding workplace dynamics. She said the initiative allows companies and women to connect, adding that if employers can discover women’s “shining points,” it could create a win-win outcome.

Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han attended the program’s launch ceremony on Friday and said promoting social welfare cannot rely solely on the government.

He noted that businesses and the government each have different roles, with the government providing support such as social assistance and employment aid when residents face difficulties.

Sun said many women may feel unfamiliar with or hesitant about returning to work after spending a long time in their comfort zones.

He said the program helps women take a crucial first step back into the workplace.

Sun described last year’s initiative as highly successful, saying that although the program appears to offer just a one-day return to work, it has in fact become the starting point for some participants to restart their careers. He encouraged women to actively seek opportunities for themselves.