World Bank Backs Tamil Nadu Women’s Employment Initiative
A new World Bank program is set to improve job prospects for 1.6 million women residing in Tamil Nadu, India. The initiative aims to enhance female labor participation through skills training and support for entrepreneurs. This effort signifies a step towards economic empowerment in the region.
Program Details
The World Bank’s Executive Directors have greenlit a $150 million program supporting Tamil Nadu. This initiative seeks to bolster women’s access to quality jobs and increase their participation in the workforce. The Tamil Nadu Women Employment and Safety Programme will provide career assistance and skills training to over 600,000 women.
Furthermore, 18,000 female entrepreneurs will receive incubation support to launch their own businesses. The program emphasizes the need to strengthen state capacities, forge technical alliances, and build strong institutional frameworks focused on women’s employment. The program will also contribute to the development of a common results framework and supporting the rollout of the Tamil Nadu Women’s Policy.
“By skilling up, providing more access to finance and increasing the availability of enabling services such as crèches, safe hostels and transportation, this Operation will help women meet their aspirations of participating in the workforce and contributing to Tamil Nadu’s one trillion-dollar economy goal,”
—Auguste Tano Kouame, World Bank’s Country Director for India
According to a 2024 report, women’s labor force participation in India remains low compared to the global average, highlighting the importance of initiatives like this. (World Bank 2024).
Focus Areas
The program includes safe hostel facilities, along with enhanced options for safe transportation and hotline call centers for reporting abuse. A state-level platform, backed by private capital, will help women access financing and raise awareness of financial products.
The International Bank of Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) is providing the $150 million loan, which has a 25-year maturity with a 5-year grace period. The initiative promotes collaboration with industry associations, institutes of eminence, and private organizations.
This project aims to boost women’s engagement in the workforce, supporting Tamil Nadu’s economic objectives. The program ultimately contributes to creating more opportunities for women’s employment and entrepreneurship through public-private partnerships.