In a major boost to women’s employment and safety in Tamil Nadu, the World Bank has approved a $150 million loan to support the state’s WE-SAFE (Women Employment and Safety) programme. This large-scale initiative aims to create better job opportunities and safe working environments for over 1.6 million women by the year 2030.
Training, Safety Measures, and Entrepreneurial Support at the Tamil Nadu
At the heart of the WE-SAFE programme is a clear goal: to bridge the wide gender employment gap in Tamil Nadu. The plan focuses on building skillsets, improving access to formal jobs, and supporting women entrepreneurs through dedicated mentorship and infrastructure.
Over 600,000 women will receive skill development training that prepares them for non-farm and formal sector jobs. In addition, 18,000 women-led businesses will receive incubation and funding support to scale their ventures. The government expects these efforts to drive long-term economic inclusion across urban and rural areas.
But WE-SAFE goes beyond training. It addresses the everyday obstacles that often force women to leave or avoid the workforce. This includes plans to build safe hostels, improve public transport, and expand childcare and eldercare facilities. These support systems are critical to helping women balance work and family responsibilities.
To ensure effective delivery, the Tamil Nadu Labour Welfare and Skill Development Department will lead the project. Collaboration with private players and financial institutions will also bring in investments and expand access to resources such as micro-loans and insurance.
The World Bank’s backing gives the programme international credibility and long-term financial stability. Officials have also confirmed that the initiative is in line with Tamil Nadu’s Vision 2030 roadmap, which aims to transform the state into a trillion-dollar economy with strong gender parity in the workforce.
With WE-SAFE, Tamil Nadu is taking a bold step toward gender-inclusive growth. If successfully implemented, the initiative could serve as a national model for improving women’s workforce participation and economic empowerment.
