By Kay del Rosario
Following a successful pilot launched in Punggol Shore Constituency in 2020, the Women Supporting Women (WSW) Mentorship Programme will now be available to female residents from all 21 constituencies in the North East district.
Backed by NTUC U Women and Family (U WAF) and the North East Community Development Council (NE CDC), the initiative gives female job seekers – including fresh graduates, women-returners, and mid-career switchers – an opportunity to be guided by women leaders across different industries through a six-month long mentorship programme.
Around 60 participants, including mentors and mentees, attended the WSW Mentorship Programme expansion launch on 23 September at Punggol 21 Community Club.
NTUC U WAF Director Yeo Wan Ling said: “There are women in our community looking to develop themselves in professional and personal capacities but face various challenges going back to the workforce – be it the need to juggle caregiving responsibilities or the fear of being out of touch with the workforce after taking an extended break from work.
“NTUC recognises these concerns and believes that the expansion of this mentorship programme will provide more women with the necessary support and guidance they need to thrive and reach their fullest potential in their professional and personal lives.”
To date, 90 mentors have stepped forward to be deployed across the various constituencies.
These women are also residents from constituencies in the NE CDC, grassroots leaders, or union leaders from NTUC.
Komalavalli Pakirisamy, 52, was one of the mentors in the WSW Mentorship Programme.
An NTUC union leader, she wanted to give back to the community and support more women by sharing her experiences as a single mother managing a full-time role.
Because of her, Poornima Nadarajah, a 46-year-old mother-of-two and one of the programme mentees, got the help she needed to rebuild her career after a pause.
“I have benefitted greatly from the WSW Mentorship Programme. I am grateful to my mentor, who has encouraged me in my journey.
“The programme allowed me to network with like-minded women and experienced professionals, better understand the career opportunities suited to my needs, and undergo upskilling to meet the evolving needs of the economy,” said Ms Poornima. She is currently a freelance IT Trainer.
As part of NTUC’s #EveryWorkerMatters Conversations, a public series of engagements, NTUC sought to understand women’s concerns, priorities, and aspirations through focus group discussions held at the event.
The session allowed participants to voice their challenges, worries, and needs regarding work.
Discussions centred around their concerns about returning to the workforce, juggling work and caregiving duties, and the support they need at various stages of their transition back to work.
For more information about the WSW Mentorship Programme, visit https://www.uwomenandfamily.org.sg.
