Sometimes, life takes us on a path that’s different from the one we had planned. A woman may stop working for personal reasons. Years may pass, priorities may change, but the desire to return can remain.
This is why the Shorouq Career Comeback Program was created: to be a space that gives women the opportunity to start again, develop their skills, regain their confidence, and return to their professional lives with more confidence.
11 years of believing in women’s potential
Since the launch of Shorouq in 2017, the goal has always been bigger than providing banking services for women. It was, and remains, a space where we believe in women’s potential and ambitions, and help them turn their ideas and plans into tangible steps.
The Shorouq Career Comeback Program was launched to provide practical support to women who want to resume their careers after taking a break. Since then, 214 women have graduated from the program. Of these graduates, 37% were able to find employment opportunities, while 11% started their own businesses.
These numbers only tell part of the story. Behind every percentage is a woman who decided to give herself another chance.
Every woman has her own story
A participant may be a mother who stepped away from work for years to raise her children and is now ready to return. She may be a woman who took a career break to care for a parent or family member and is now ready to begin a new chapter. Or she may simply be a woman whose circumstances have changed, and who’s now looking for a way back to a field she loves, but needs to update her skills, gain new experience, or rebuild confidence in her abilities after years away from the workforce.
This is where Shorouq comes in. Not to ask women to start from zero, but to help them build on everything they have learned over the years, both inside and outside the workplace.
A journey of learning, experience, and support
Participants begin with training sessions that help them develop their personal and professional skills, and prepare for the needs of today’s job market. They then move on to practical experience through internships across different departments at Bank al Etihad or the program’s partner organisations.
Throughout the journey, each participant is paired with a mentor who accompanies and supports her, helping her navigate challenges, make the most of opportunities, and take more confident steps towards her professional goals.
Because returning to the job market requires more than skills. Sometimes, it also takes someone who believes in you and reminds you of what you’re capable of.
The 8th edition begins
On September 1, 2026, we opened applications for the 8th edition of the Shorouq Career Comeback Program and received applications from women interested in joining the program.
Applications closed on September 22, 2026, and we’re now moving to the next phase: reviewing applications, conducting interviews, and selecting the participants who will begin their journey in the new edition of the program.
Once the participants are selected, the program begins with training sessions, followed by hands-on internships at the bank or its partners, alongside ongoing mentorship and support. Each step is designed to bring participants closer to the job market and help them return with the knowledge, experience, and confidence they need.