CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday said that the state will continue to build infrastructure to ensure that every woman can study, live independently, become an entrepreneur and live without fear.
Addressing the two-day Global Women’s Summit here, he said women must play a key role in achieving the DMK government’s vision of making Tamil Nadu a USD one trillion economy.
Highlighting initiatives taken by his government for women’s welfare, the CM described the ‘Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam’—under which Rs 1,000 is provided every month to 1.3 crore women heads of households—as a “jewel in the crown”.
“It is a historic achievement. Today, other states in India are following this model. The scheme has boosted women’s self-respect, economic independence and self-confidence,” he said.
Claiming that Tamil Nadu has the highest number of women in the workforce in the country, Stalin said that whenever a new company expresses interest in investing in the state, his first question is how many jobs would be created for women.
“Many private companies have begun reserving a specific percentage of jobs for women. We should not be satisfied merely because more women are entering the workforce. Women must progress on par with men and find their place in emerging sectors,” he said.
Observing that a nation cannot progress without the advancement of women, Stalin said the idea was strongly emphasised by nationalist leader E V Ramasamy, popularly known as Periyar.
“Following in his footsteps, Kalaignar (former CM M Karunanidhi) implemented several schemes for women’s development,”
