SAGE Conference 2026: SCWO launches CoLab to help women return to the workforce

On the morning of 18 September 2026, an inspiring conversation about women re-entering the workforce after a career break left many deeply encouraged at the third edition of the Summit for Action on Gender Equality (SAGE) Conference 2026 by Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (SCWO), with the theme Redefining Work: Creating New Pathways for Women. 

During the event, SCWO announced that they will be launching the SCWO CoLab, an initiative for member organisations to develop on community-led solutions responding to the needs and gaps of women re-entering work. This would include the inaugural SCWO CoLab 2026/27 Challenge, which provides a facilitated environment for expert input to help these organisations strengthen these solutions.

Successful applicants to CoLab can also take part in the Singapore Government Partnerships Office’s Citizens’ Circle to further develop their ideas and collaborate with other partners. Promising ideas may then explore support through the SG Partnerships Fund.

SCWO also announced their new Workplace Counselling and Support Service to provide emotional, psychological and practical support to individuals experiencing workplace discrimination or harassment. The service aims to help them understand their options and navigate available avenues for support.

These new services come after new research, done in collaboration with the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) Women and Family (WAF) unit, revealed that an online poll of 502 women aged 24 and above residing in Singapore conducted in August 2026, over 80 per cent who had taken or were currently on a career break intended to return to work. 

Seven in 10 believed that taking a career break makes finding suitable work more difficult. But only two in five knew where to find the support they needed to return to work. And among the 299 respondents currently on a career break, just two in five felt the available support was well matched to their needs. 

The study aimed to examine women’s experiences across the return-to-work journey — from leaving employment to re-entering and remaining in employment.

The findings also highlighted friction points including how retention before women leave the workforce; the availability of suitable and flexible work; employer practices around recruitment and re-entry; differentiated support for different groups of returners; and the workplace conditions needed to sustain employment after women return. 

Held at the Grand Corpthorne Waterfront Hotel ballroom, around 300 people gathered for the SAGE Conference, which first launched in 2024. The summit serves as a platform to bring together international and local speakers, women leaders, male allies, SCWO member organisations and women’s groups to address key issues to advance women’s development and gender equality in Singapore and beyond.

The event kicked off with a welcome address by SCWO President, Dr Seow Yian San, and was graced by Guest-of-Honour Ms Jasmin Lau, Acting Minister for Manpower and Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Digital Development and Information, who delivered the opening address. The keynote speaker of the summit was Professor Lily Kong, President of the Singapore Management University (SMU).

“For many women, leaving work isn’t really a choice,” said Dr Seow. “Sometimes, work and life simply stop fitting together: A child needs you, an ageing parent needs you, circumstances change, stepping away feels like the only option. But here’s the problem: When she is ready to return, getting back in isn’t always easy.

“Her career has a gap. Her experience may no longer be seen as current. Her previous role may no longer be considered a fit. A career break should not mean a career is broken. And that is the conversation we want to have today.”

Ms Lau said: “Life does not always move in a straight line, and neither will our careers.” She added that SCWO’s engagements with women returning to work show just how hard coming back can be. 

Attendees then broke off into various panel sessions on topics like career longevity and inclusion in Singapore’s employment ecosystem, featuring women leaders like Mrs Sher-li Torrey, founder of Mums@Work Singapore and co-founder of Career Navigators Singapore, as well as Ms Bay Teck Cheng, President of Society for Women’s Initiatives for Ageing Successfully. The afternoon unfolded into lively conversations and exchanging ideas on how to create more supportive workplaces where women can thrive.