The Sama platform has launched at Expo City Dubai, creating year-round career support for women across different professional stages. The initiative builds on the experience and results of the Return to Work programme. It aims to strengthen employability, income continuity, financial confidence, and professional connections. Furthermore, the programme provides women with resources designed to support long-term participation in the workforce.
The platform takes its name from the Arabic word for sky, representing ambition and limitless growth. Organisers designed Sama as a supportive ecosystem where women can develop practical skills and strengthen their professional confidence. Meanwhile, the initiative seeks to create a stronger community for women navigating different career challenges. It will also provide opportunities for participants to connect with employers and other professionals.
The launch coincides with the second edition of the Return to Work programme at Expo City Dubai. That programme supports women who want to restart their careers after taking professional breaks. HSBC will support the initiative through funding and practical workplace-focused training. The Expo City Dubai Foundation will also provide support for the wider platform.
Maha Gorton, Head of the Women’s Pavilion at Expo City Dubai, highlighted the demand for sustained career support. She said the first Return to Work programme revealed significant talent among women seeking to re-enter employment. However, participants also faced broader challenges beyond simply finding suitable job opportunities. Therefore, Sama will extend support through continued training, community engagement, and professional connections.
The new platform will introduce several initiatives alongside the continuing Return to Work programme. Sama Skills Sessions will begin in early 2027 and provide free practical learning opportunities. Workshops and masterclasses will cover CV preparation, interview techniques, artificial intelligence, workplace technologies, and financial literacy. Additionally, curated learning resources will allow participants to continue developing skills beyond individual sessions.
Another major element involves stronger engagement between employers and women returning to professional careers. An annual Sama Employer Engagement gathering will examine existing talent gaps across participating organisations. The discussions will also help shape specialised employer training and structured referral pathways. Consequently, employers can better understand returners’ abilities while participants gain clearer routes toward suitable opportunities.
The programme will also include a dedicated digital portal offering continuous access to learning resources. Participants will therefore have greater flexibility when managing professional development alongside personal responsibilities. The platform will remain accessible around the clock, allowing women to learn according to their schedules. This approach can particularly benefit professionals balancing employment preparation with family or other commitments.
HSBC will continue contributing practical expertise through several career-focused activities. Its support will include individual mock interviews, structured feedback, and networking workshops based on real job descriptions. Senior HSBC leaders will also participate directly during important stages of the programme. As a result, participants can gain insight into workplace expectations while strengthening their interview and networking abilities.
The Sama platform builds directly on the results achieved through the Return to Work pilot. C3 – Companies Creating Change delivered the pilot and helped participants navigate their return to employment. Around one-third of the programme’s first cohort have since secured full-time employment. Meanwhile, another 10 percent now pursue entrepreneurship or freelance opportunities across several professional fields.
Participants have moved into roles covering areas such as finance, operations, and production. Their experiences demonstrate the potential for experienced professionals to successfully rebuild careers following employment breaks. However, returning to work can still present significant personal and professional challenges. Sama therefore aims to provide longer-term support instead of ending assistance after initial programme participation.
Therese Cilliers, a former participant, returned to professional work after taking a two-year career break. She now works as a fractional chief financial officer through the CFO Centre UAE. Cilliers said relocating to Abu Dhabi initially led her to plan only a short career break. However, returning to employment proved challenging despite her previous experience in finance.
She also described self-doubt as a significant challenge while adjusting to a new professional environment. Being part of a community with women facing similar experiences helped rebuild her confidence. She credited the programme’s resources and connections with providing valuable support throughout her return. Moreover, she plans to contribute to the wider community through the new initiative.
The Sama platform will give former participants opportunities to remain connected while supporting other women. In addition, the programme creates a continuing community focused on skills, employment, entrepreneurship, and professional development. Its broader objective involves helping women maintain career momentum while expanding access to meaningful workplace opportunities. Overall, the initiative strengthens Dubai’s growing ecosystem for women’s professional participation and advancement.
