She did not find it a safe space to work for women. She was not learning new things and the job became boring as well. Her fears of harassment at the workplace and lack of confidence led her to live three months of joblessness. It affected the family financially. For her, it was a hopeless and lonely time. It was during the same time that a friend told her about a job opportunity with the Virtual Field Support team of Piramal School of Leadership in Bhopal. Khushboo was still skeptical about the safety of women in the workplace.

In September 2018, she eventually joined Piramal’s Virtual Field Support. She describes the opportunity as a boon to her family and the work a life-changing process for her. It allowed her to learn, express, and grow as an individual as well as an employee. When the team was finalised, all the new joinees were called toBaggar, Rajasthan for an orientation. Khushboo tells that she felt safe in an all-women team here. Sessions on empathy, communication, and prevention of sexual harassment policy helped her overcome the fear of an unsafe work environment. “When women in my team shared their stories, I realised that I am not alone. There are many like me. I started believing in people of the organisation”, tells Khushboo. It helped her boost her confidence as well.

While sharing her journey, Khushboo tells that she is becoming a better listener and a good communicator in her role as an associate in the Virtual Field Support team. Today, she converses with education officials, solves the problems of teachers, goes to RajyaShiksha Kendra and gets appreciation from IAS officers. She tells that the appreciation from her stakeholders and empathy from her team keeps her going. Speaking of her family situation after joining VFS she says, “I can support my family of three women financially as well as emotionally after joining here. I practice active listening and empathy with my mother and sister. After coming here, I am growing as an individual.” She found a safe space as well as an environment and support to grow her skills. It has been 17 months since, and she has not looked back once. Women at her workplace have become family and coming to the center every day fills her with new hope.

The Virtual Field Support team supports all its women in their journey by providing them a support system. Khushboo Khan is one of those many women in the team who feel empowered, confident, and valued; while growing their skills and moving forward with the job. Virtual Field Support team has become a hope and safe space to grow for many such women with each other.