Sat Mar 08 09:09:59 UTC 2025: ## Tamil Nadu CM Launches Women’s Initiatives on International Women’s Day

**Chennai, March 8, 2025** – Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced a significant investment in women’s welfare on International Women’s Day, unveiling a multi-pronged initiative aimed at empowering women across the state. The key elements of the program include:

* **Construction of women’s hostels:** Nine new hostels for working women will be built across the state in Kancheepuram, Erode, Dharmapuri, Sivaganga, Theni, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Ranipet, and Karur districts. The ₹72 crore project will provide safe and secure accommodation with amenities such as 24-hour security, biometric access, Wi-Fi, and purified water.

* **Distribution of pink autorickshaws:** 250 GPS-enabled pink autorickshaws were distributed to women beneficiaries in Chennai. This initiative aims to provide employment opportunities and enhance passenger safety, with each recipient receiving a ₹1 lakh grant.

* **Empowering Self Help Groups (SHGs):** 1,000 members of SHGs received identity cards granting them access to various benefits, including concessions on bus transport, healthcare under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme, priority access to loans, and discounts at government outlets. Additionally, bank loans were disbursed to 34,073 SHGs to foster entrepreneurship.

Chief Minister Stalin emphasized the importance of dismantling patriarchal mindsets and ensuring women’s equal rights in all spheres of life. He urged society to celebrate and support women’s progress, rather than hindering it. The initiatives highlight the state government’s commitment to women’s empowerment and economic independence.

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