Tamil Nadu is a leader in female workforce participation, accounting for 42 per cent of the workforce, higher than the national average of 35 per cent. The state has implemented policies and programs to promote gender equality and support women's employment, including skill development programs, financial incentives, and entrepreneurship initiatives. The state's diverse industrial base, including textiles, manufacturing, IT, and healthcare, has created numerous employment opportunities for women.
Organizations have adopted policies supporting work-life balance, and cultural factors like recognition of women's economic contributions and societal norms and support. Successful women entrepreneurs and professionals serve as role models. Tamil Nadu is prioritizing women's entrepreneurship and manufacturing to achieve its $1 trillion economy target. With 42 per cent of women in factories, the state has a high percentage of women in the workforce. Policies like DEI payroll subsidy, Naan Mudhalvan training, and TN Rise initiatives aim to promote gender equality and women's entrepreneurship.
Industries Secretary V Arun Roy mentions Tamil Nadu is diversifying its industrial sector to achieve its $1 trillion target, focusing on R&D-driven investments in new-age sectors. The state is promoting women's employment in sectors like electronics and non-leather footwear production. He added that the government has launched TN Rise, a platform to create more women-led startups in rural areas, funded by the World Bank. The initiative aims to help entrepreneurs scale up, diversify products, leverage government schemes, and use marketing linkages.
MSME Secretary, Archana Patnaik mentions that TN Rise is a platform focusing on women entrepreneurship in Tamil Nadu, with over 4,400 women-led startups with at least one woman as co-founder. The MSME department has been working on funding, skilling, and market linkages. Financial incentives, mentorship, and acceleration support are also provided. In addition to these, initiatives like Tanseed seed funding have earmarked for women, and TN SC/ST Startup Fund has provided funding to nine women-led startups.
