Over six lakh women in Tamil Nadu will receive training under the state’s WESAFE Programme. Short for Women Employment and Safety, the WESAFE programme, which has been approved by the World Bank, is aimed at increasing women’s participation in the workforce. It will also improve the quality of jobs for 1.6 million women across Tamil Nadu. The loan from World Bank ($150 million) has a maturity period of 25 years and a grace period of five years.
While at least six lakh women will be trained and assisted with their careers via this programme, about 18,000 women entrepreneurs will receive support to start their own businesses. Through this programme, safe workplaces, housing and transport will be ensured for women across the state so that the women’s labour participation—which currently stands at a poor 32 percentage points less than men’s participation—can increase.
Tamil Nadu has set itself a target of becoming a $1 trillion economy in five years. With the WESAFE programme, the state intends to leverage the strength of women and get them to join the active workforce in bigger numbers.
With the support of the World Bank, Tamil Nadu will design a Women’s Policy for the state and put in place regulations and guidelines to draw investments for the non-farm sector and lend assistance to enterprises led by women.
The Government of Tamil Nadu is also working to set up a platform at the state level with assistance from private capitalists to
help women get their businesses financed and spread awareness about loans and grants.
The programme will relay on collaborations with industry, academia and private parties to support women in terms of housing, finance and mobility.
