THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, September 24: Kerala has expanded an initiative aimed at helping 10,000 women who have taken career breaks return to the workforce, with the launch of the ReIgnite Portal as a digital platform for career restart opportunities. The programme brings together government, employers and voluntary organisations to create pathways for women seeking to resume their professional careers.
The initiative, titled “10,000 Women Back to Career,” is being implemented under the leadership of Women Inclusive in Technology (WIIT). It began as a pilot project in 2024 and has now been expanded with a long-term goal of supporting women on career breaks through employment, returnships and other career opportunities.
Through the ReIgnite Portal, women can register details including their educational qualifications, professional experience, skills, interests and career aspirations. These profiles can then be used to connect candidates with relevant training programmes, employment opportunities and returnship positions.
The programme also aims to help women update their skills and prepare for current workplace requirements. WIIT says the initiative focuses on industry-relevant skills across areas including IT, IT-enabled services, hardware and retail, while also creating pathways for entrepreneurship and leadership.
Kerala Labour Minister Bindu Krishna, who inaugurated the project website, said that improving workplace conditions would be important for women returning to employment. She stressed effective implementation of the POSH law and highlighted workplace day-care facilities as important support for women returning after maternity leave.
The initiative is being developed with support from organisations and institutions including the Kerala Knowledge Economy Mission, K-DISC, ICT Academy and Technopark, alongside industry and other ecosystem partners.
The programme is designed to address the challenges women may face after extended career breaks, including skill gaps and difficulties reconnecting with employers. By combining training, career preparation, returnships and employment linkages, the initiative seeks to create a structured route back into professional life.
WIIT has set a broader target of supporting 10,000 women between 2026 and 2030, with participating employers expected to contribute to return-to-work and women-focused hiring opportunities.
