Chennai, Jan 27 (NationPress) Chief Minister M. K. Stalin reiterated the Tamil Nadu government's dedication to developing strong infrastructure and social systems that enable women to pursue education, achieve independence, venture into entrepreneurship, and live free from fear.

During the two-day Global Women’s Summit held in Chennai, he emphasized the vital role women will play in fulfilling the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government’s goal of transforming Tamil Nadu into a USD one trillion economy.

Stalin underscored that economic advancement must be inclusive, stating that the participation and leadership of women are critical for sustainable growth.

“A society cannot progress if half of its population is neglected,” he noted, adding that development policies should intentionally eliminate structural obstacles faced by women in education, employment, and entrepreneurship.

Highlighting key initiatives for women’s welfare, the Chief Minister referred to the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam—which grants Rs 1,000 monthly to 1.3 crore women heads of families—as the “jewel in the crown” of his administration’s social security initiatives.

He pointed out that Tamil Nadu boasts the highest female workforce participation in the nation, stating that whenever a new company expresses interest in investing in the state, his first inquiry is about the number of jobs that will be made available for women.

Stalin welcomed the initiative by private companies to allocate a specified portion of jobs for women but warned against complacency.

“It is insufficient for more women to join the workforce. They must advance equally with men and secure positions in emerging and high-growth sectors,” he stated.

Reflecting on the ideological foundations of the Dravidian movement, the Chief Minister mentioned that the significance of women’s liberation was strongly advocated by rationalist leader E. V. Ramasamy Periyar.

Following that tradition, former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi introduced groundbreaking reforms such as equal inheritance rights for women, the recruitment of women into the police force, and reservations for women in local governance, Stalin noted.

Referring to ongoing initiatives, he indicated that programs like TN-RISE have empowered women entrepreneurs to emerge even from rural areas, resulting in a consistent increase in women-led startups.

He added that the TN-WE-SAFE initiative provides technological support and skill training while prioritizing safety—an essential prerequisite for large-scale workforce participation.

“Tamil Nadu has the highest number of women employed in factories across India,” Stalin stated, citing safety measures like the 181 emergency helpline and the Kavalan SOS mobile application.

“Only a secure society can unleash the full potential of women and, through them, the future of our State.”