Tamil Nadu sets an example with highest number of working women in India

Tamil Nadu has topped the list of the states with the highest number of working women in India. With around 7.08 lakh working women, TN comprises around half of the total workforce in the country. It is three times higher than Karnataka, which holds the second position on the list. 

The Tamil Nadu government has launched several initiatives to boost the women’s workforce in the state. The state government not only paved the way for women to work night shifts but also took necessary precautions to ensure women’s safety at the workplace and during the commute to and from the workplace. Another notable initiative by the government is the higher training subsidies for women staff.

The Stalin government also drafted a new policy to provide jobs for 10,000 women who had to take a break from their careers due to parental or familial responsibilities.

The manufacturing industry, especially the textile and footwear industries, are the highest benefactors of these women empowering policies. As per the available data, Tamil Nadu has the highest number of direct women employees in the industries mentioned above. 

There has been a considerable increase in the number of women working in the engineering industry quite recently. The Coimbatore branch of Kirloskar is already leading by example as women have entirely managed it since 2011. The unit now consists of 150 women employees, including women from the neighbouring villages. Emboldened by the success of this move, the company has currently employed a 35% women workforce in its Gujarat Sanand plant. Greaves Mobility’s electric two-wheeler factory in Ranipet deserves a special mention as 70% of the employees are women.

Let us look at the statistics of some reputed companies with a high number of women employees. Coimbatore plant of auto component maker Pricol has a 25% women workforce. Leading commercial vehicle manufacturer Ashok Leyland’s Ennore plant has 31% women employees. Michelin’s Thervoy Kandigai factory boasts of a 10% women workforce, whereas Royal Enfield Royal Enfield’s various Oragadam, Vadagal and Thiruvottiyur units are also on the list with 15%.

CEAT’s Chennai plant showed the way for other tire industry giants by introducing an all-women crew exclusively for extruder operations. 

The representation of women in the services sector is also comparatively higher in Tamil Nadu.

TCS Chennai has employed more than two lakh women employees. Suresh Raman, vice president and regional head of TCS, opinionated that it has resulted in an increase in the proportion of senior women executives.

All these numbers are definitely encouraging, but more women should enter the workforce for better living conditions. As per 
Saundarya Rajesh, founder-president of Avtar Group, the population of Tami Nadu is around eight crores, of which 50% are women. However, only 30 %of women are currently in the workforce. She added that while these numbers are higher than in other states, it also provides an opportunity for more women to work. She also noted that the high enrollment ratio of girls in schools in the state is a huge advantage, and we should capitalize on it.