Sankari Karpagam, the founder of a Chennai-based startup, aims to bridge the divide between employers and women, particularly mothers. “I firmly believe that every woman possesses skills beyond those required for homemaking alone, and that’s where the inspiration for the name originates,” she remarks with a grin.
Sankari’s journey from a sidelined professional to a champion for women’s empowerment epitomizes the challenges faced by countless educated women in India. Despite her qualifications in computer science engineering from MIT, societal norms pushed her aside when she took a break from motherhood.
However, rather than succumbing to this setback, Sankari embarked on a mission to break down barriers for women like herself, launching Overqualified Housewives, a platform dedicated to reintegrating educated women back into the workforce.
Overcoming Prejudice
Sankari’s struggle to re-enter the workforce highlights the pervasive prejudice against mothers in professional settings. Despite advancements in policy, women still face discrimination in recruitment, salaries, and perceived competence.
Sankari’s experience of being passed over for job offers after her maternity break echoes the challenges many women encounter. The ‘motherhood penalty’ disproportionately affects women, pushing them out of the workforce or into lower-paying roles.
Sankari’s response to this injustice was not to accept defeat but to take action. She founded Overqualified Housewives to provide a platform where women could find meaningful employment opportunities commensurate with their qualifications and skills. By refusing to settle for less and challenging the status quo, Sankari is not only advocating for herself but also for countless other women facing similar barriers.
According to the US-based National Bureau of Economic Research, “on average, a quarter of women in the world will drop out of the workforce within a year of the birth of their first child as a result of the motherhood penalty.”
Despite the presence of HR policies and government regulations aimed at supporting women in the workforce, discriminatory practices persist.
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Many companies, despite having maternity leave policies in place, fail to provide adequate support for returning mothers. Sankari’s initiative sheds light on the gap between policy and practice, showcasing the need for tangible change in corporate culture.
Through Overqualified Housewives, Sankari seeks to address this disparity by connecting women with forward-thinking companies that prioritize diversity, inclusion, and flexible work arrangements.
By amplifying the voices of women sidelined by motherhood, Sankari is driving conversations around gender equity and workplace fairness, urging companies to reevaluate their hiring and retention practices.
According to economist Vidya Mahambare, “Gendered social norms that encourage men to be the primary providers of family finances and women to focus on childcare and household duties restrict women’s role in the labour market.”
Challenging Gender Norms
Gendered social norms deeply entrenched in Indian society restrict women’s participation in the labour market. From an early age, girls are conditioned to prioritize familial responsibilities over career aspirations. As a result, the gender disparity in employment remains stark, with only 28% of urban Indian women employed.
Sankari’s initiative challenges these ingrained stereotypes by providing a platform where women can assert their professional identities and pursue their career goals. By rejecting the notion that motherhood diminishes a woman’s value in the workforce, Sankari is dismantling barriers and paving the way for greater gender equality.
Sankari emphasizes, “This is not [just] about policy change but also a change of environment in our house too.” This underlines the importance of societal shifts in addition to policy reforms.
Sankari’s efforts go beyond mere advocacy; she’s spearheading a movement for systemic change. Through partnerships with businesses and educational institutions, she’s advocating for policies and practices that support women’s participation in the workforce.
By amplifying the voices of women sidelined by motherhood, Sankari is driving conversations around gender equity and workplace fairness, urging companies to reevaluate their hiring and retention practices.
Sankari’s initiative stands as a beacon of hope for women seeking to navigate the complexities of modern-day employment while prioritizing their well-being and personal fulfilment.
According to a 2022 World Bank Global Study, “only 24 per cent of women over 15 are working in India.” There is a pressing need for initiatives like Sankari’s to address gender inequality in the workforce.
Creating Opportunities
Sankari’s Overqualified Housewives initiative serves as a beacon of hope for educated women sidelined by motherhood, offering them a pathway back into the workforce.
By providing flexible work options tailored to their needs, Sankari is challenging the notion that motherhood should limit a woman’s professional prospects. Through her platform, she connects skilled women with job opportunities across various sectors, empowering them to reclaim their careers on their own terms.
Sankari’s dedication to providing employment opportunities goes beyond just filling job vacancies; she’s fostering a sense of agency and empowerment among women who refuse to settle for less. According to Sankari, “Opportunity doesn’t wait.”
Moreover, Overqualified Housewives serves as a catalyst for societal change, challenging traditional gender roles and advocating for a more inclusive workforce. Sankari’s initiative not only addresses the immediate need for job placement but also highlights the broader issues of gender inequality and discrimination in the workplace.
By championing the cause of educated women sidelined by motherhood, Sankari is driving meaningful change and paving the way for a more equitable future for women in India’s workforce.
Redefining Work-Life Balance
The work-from-home model, championed by platforms like Overqualified Housewives, offers newfound flexibility for women seeking to balance professional pursuits with caregiving responsibilities.
However, it also poses challenges, including increased stress and isolation. Sankari recognizes the need for a holistic approach to work-life balance, advocating for supportive environments that prioritize women’s well-being and social connections alongside professional advancement.
While work-from-home arrangements can provide flexibility, they also come with unique challenges, such as blurring the lines between work and personal life. Sankari’s platform emphasizes the importance of maintaining boundaries and self-care practices to prevent burnout and ensure sustainable work-life integration.
Furthermore, Sankari’s emphasis on flexibility extends beyond just remote work opportunities; she’s also advocating for policies and practices that support women’s overall well-being. By promoting a more holistic approach to work-life balance, Sankari is challenging societal norms that prioritize productivity over personal fulfilment.
Through her platform, she’s empowering women to redefine success on their own terms, prioritizing their health, happiness, and fulfilment alongside their professional goals.
Professor Mahambare warns against the pitfalls of solely relying on work-from-home arrangements, stating that “For women, WFH can add to stress and burnout because they continuously juggle the two roles.”
Empowering Women
Through Overqualified Housewives, women like Pavithra Periswamy and Gayathri Neppolean are reclaiming their identities and pursuing their career aspirations without compromising on motherhood.
By offering a platform for upskilling, networking, and job placement, Sankari is catalyzing a much-needed shift in the narrative surrounding women in the workforce. As she continues to expand her reach and impact, Sankari’s vision of empowering one lakh women reflects a growing movement towards gender equity and economic independence in India.
Sankari’s initiative not only provides employment opportunities but also fosters a sense of agency and empowerment among women who refuse to settle for less.
Moreover, the stories of women like Pavithra Periswamy and Gayathri Neppolean underscore the transformative impact of Overqualified Housewives on individual lives. By providing a platform for women to pursue their passions and aspirations, Sankari is enabling them to reclaim their power and agency in the workforce.
Through her initiative, Sankari is not only challenging societal norms and systemic barriers but also empowering women to chart their own paths to success.
According to Pavithra Periswamy, “If you are a woman with dreams, you needn’t have to settle for less than you deserve.” As Overqualified Housewives continues to grow and expand its reach, Sankari’s vision of a more inclusive and equitable workforce is steadily becoming a reality, one empowered woman at a time.
Sankari’s journey from professional setbacks to entrepreneurial success exemplifies the resilience and determination of women striving for equality in the workforce.
Through Overqualified Housewives, she not only provides job opportunities but also challenges ingrained societal norms that hinder women’s advancement.
As her initiative continues to gain momentum, Sankari’s story serves as a beacon of hope for women across India, inspiring them to defy expectations, pursue their dreams, and reclaim their power in the workforce.
Feature image designed by Saudamini Seth
Sources: The Print, New Indian Express, Business Standard
Find the blogger: Katyayani Joshi
This post is tagged under: startup, overqualified housewives, prejudice, solution, gender, gender gap, recruitment, motherhood, maternity leave, professional setback, empowerment, career
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