A startling conclusion has emerged that approximately 78 million Indians to women Fear of losing a job or adversely affecting a career if the abortion is disclosed. Meanwhile, 80 million women remain silent for fear of public criticism. 7 crore Indian women consider leaving their jobs if their employers do not support them after a miscarriage.(Photo Courtesy – AI)
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The research was conducted by Quest Global in collaboration with UGV. This research has revealed that abortion is a major problem in the workplace. To help such women, Quest Global has launched the ‘Break the Silence’ campaign, which aims to encourage workplace dialogue about workplace abortions.
Time is neglected in the workplace, leaving many women to suffer in silence while working. I urge all CEOs and business leaders in India, including Mumbai, to join us in accepting that abortion is a reality in the workplace, opines Ajit Prabhu, Co-Founder and CEO, Quest Global.
The survey was conducted among 2,000 women and 200 men aged 25-39 across India, including Mumbai. These included individuals at various management levels in the STEM, technology, engineering and corporate sectors as well as male managers leading various teams. Studies have found that most women suffer in silence out of fear rather than willingly. Three out of four women say having a miscarriage has made them feel less confident.
Millions of women in India experience miscarriage every year, many of whom are at work at the time. As part of the ‘Break the Silence’ campaign, Quest Global has launched a 24-hour helpline in collaboration with ‘Your Dost’. Psychologists specially trained in abortion provide confidential and expert support. It also includes peer support groups, training materials for HR professionals and managers on handling sensitive conversations, awareness-raising webinars, and free downloadable resources for use in the workplace.
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Behind every statistic is a woman, struggling to move forward despite an invisible burden. The support she gets during those difficult times is important. Whether she feels a sense of belonging in the company, whether she stays with the company and progresses in her career depends on it. If we want more women to stay in their jobs and take on leadership positions, we need to pay attention to the moments when they feel most isolated. Miscarriage is one of those moments, and workplace support can make a huge difference.
