Flagship programme
Return to Work
Empowers women ready to relaunch their careers after a break. The second edition runs under Sama with continuing momentum and support.
Explore the programme
Women's Pavilion · Expo City Dubai
Advancing gender equity
in the workforce.
A dedicated platform for women in the workforce, providing a year-round, nurturing ecosystem that drives community and enhances employability, long-term income continuity and financial confidence.
Skills SessionsWorkshops & EventsReturn to Work
About SamaAdvancing gender equityin the workforce
Samafrom the Arabic word for ‘sky’ — symbolising ambition, openness and limitless growth
A dedicated platform for women in the workforce, providing a year-round, nurturing ecosystem.
- Community and belonging
- Employability
- Long-term income continuity
- Financial confidence
In partnership with HSBC and supported by the Expo City Dubai Foundation.
Core initiativesWhat Sama Offers
One platform, supporting women at every stage of their career.
Sama Skills Sessions
Launching in early 2027, offering learning and development through practical workshops, masterclasses and curated learning resources. Free to attend.
Workshops & Events
Practical workshops, expert-led clinics and community events, run through the year and open to every Sama member.
How it worksOne registration,three tiers of access.
Sama is the umbrella for the programmes, events and opportunities we run for women in the workplace. Registering makes you a Sama member — and membership is how you join Return to Work. There is no second application.
- EveryoneCore access for all
- Return to WorkFor women returning to the workforce
- The twentyBy selection only
- 1EveryoneEveryone.
Register
One form, one login. Registration is open to all women, and it takes a few minutes.
Open to all women - 2EveryoneEveryone.
Eligibility, straight away
Your answers decide it — there is no application to wait on and no admin decision.
Instant, no review - 3EveryoneEveryone.
You’re a Sama member
Your dashboard, Sama events and the resource library are yours from day one. If your answers met the criteria, your Return to Work programme area opens too — and if not, everything above is still yours.
From day one - 4Return to WorkReturn to Work.
Phase 1 — four masterclasses, two fireside sessions
Each with your own personal joining link. Your attendance is recorded and shown back to you.
28 Sep – 8 Oct - 5Return to WorkReturn to Work.
Four deliverables
Download a template after each masterclass. You complete them during Phase 1 and submit them together.
Templates provided - 6Return to WorkReturn to Work.
Your certificate
Attend all four masterclasses and both fireside sessions, at least an hour each, and download your Certificate of Completion.
Attendance-based - 7Return to WorkReturn to Work.
Phase 2 application
Opens 8 October and closes 14 October. Your CV and all four deliverables, with your profile already filled in. One submission.
8 – 14 October - 8Return to WorkReturn to Work.
Selection
A selection committee reads every application.
0placesTop 20 shortlisted - 9The twentyThe twenty.
Skills gap analysis
Issued to the selected cohort with a deadline. It shapes the workshops you are given; it gates nothing.
Deadline-based - 10The twentyThe twenty.
Phase 2 — November
Largely in person at Expo City Dubai. Your schedule and your attendance live on the platform.
Expo City Dubai
What unlocks what?
Everyone gets core access the moment they register.
Return to Work opens automatically if her answers meet the criteria.
The twenty are chosen from the Phase 2 applications.
Flagship programme
Your two-phase journey
Your two-phase journeyWhat to expect
The Return to Work Programme empowers women in the UAE ready to relaunch their careers. Whether you’re returning to your previous field, exploring a new industry, or rebuilding professional confidence, this programme provides the tools, networks and opportunities to make it happen. Through a two-phase journey you’ll gain essential skills, personalised guidance and direct connections with employers – all within a supportive community. Brought to life through visionary partners who believe in the transformative power of women, this programme is offered at no cost to participants.
Who should join
This programme is for you if you are:
- Be female
- Returning to work after a career break
- Actively seeking to return to the workforce
- From any industry or professional background
Phase 1
Online Masterclasses
- 2 weeks of online learning to refresh your skills and prepare for re-entry
- Practical tools for career planning and professional growth
- Certificate of completion for Phase 1
- Opportunity to apply for Phase 2
Masterclass topics + key dates:
- 1Finding purpose and building confidenceMonday 28 September, 10:00 – 11:30 (GST)
- 2Personal branding and profile buildingWednesday 30 September, 10:00 – 11:30 (GST)
- 3Fireside ChatThursday 1 October, 10:00 – 11:30 (GST)
- 4Career development and navigationThursday 5 October, 10:00 – 11:30 (GST)
- 5First 90 days success strategyWednesday 7 October, 10:00 – 11:30 (GST)
- 6Fireside ChatThursday 8 Oct, 10:00 – 11:30 (GST)
What you getProgramme benefits
Every part of Return to Work is free to join, and built around where you actually are.
Free to join
No cost to participants, driven by our mission to create positive impact
Tailored learning
Workshops designed from your skills gap analysis
Mentorship & networking
1:1 guidance from senior professionals and access to employer networks
Certification
Showcase your achievement with certificates for each phase
Career opportunities
Exposure to professional networks
QuestionsFrequentlyasked questions
About the Return to Work programme. If yours is not here, the programme team is a message away once you have an account.
Join usJoin the Samacommunity
Join Sama and explore the diverse opportunities and initiatives for ongoing learning, professional development and employment support.
“Realising I wasn’t alone and being part of a like-minded community via the Return to Work programme was a game changer, and the access to tools and resources has been invaluable. Sama ensures that our cohort maintains momentum, and is an opportunity for me to give back to the wider community of women.”