Ms Shrutika Sethu Madhavan, Chairman, Women Empowerment Subcommittee, TEA in her welcome address she highlighted that the meaningful change in society begins when women recognize the value of their voice and participation. The program emphasized the importance of empowering women and encouraging their active role in leadership and decision-making.
Mr. M. Anand, Joint Secretary, TEA, in his address said that this occasion is not only a celebration but also a moment to recognize the resilience, strength, and immense contributions of women to society, industries, and families. He noted that women play a vital role in the growth of the Tiruppur knitwear industry, contributing significantly across various roles including production, supervision, and entrepreneurship.He concluded by stating that when women rise, families, society, and the nation progress.
Mr. N. Thirukkumaran, General Secretary, TEA, in his address said that although nearly 60% of the workforce in the Tiruppur knitwear industry are women, their presence at managerial levels remains low at around 20%, and their participation in leadership roles must increase. He also noted that despite the 33% reservation for women in politics passed in 2023, women’s representation in Parliament is still about 14%. He emphasized that greater participation of women in industry, administration, and governance is essential for the progress of society and the nation, and women should be celebrated and supported every day.
Mr. K.M. Subramanian, President, TEA, in his presidential address appreciated the efforts of Ms. Shivanjali Kamble, Secretary, The Penn Collective Trust. He mentioned that in Tirupur, out of the one million workers in the knitwear industry, nearly 65% are women, particularly in garment production. He recalled the lines of Poet Bharathi and noted that the women of today reflect the “Modern Women” envisioned by the poet. He said that women complete their work with sincerity and dedication, which is why most offices today have many female workers and officials. He highlighted that it is not just that there is a woman behind every man’s success; women are behind the success of every industry. He further stated that the Tirupur Exporters’ Association will continue to support women’s progress and organize such programs in the future.
Ms. Shivanjali Kamble, Secretary, The Penn Collective Trust, in her address explained that the initiative aims to encourage women to participate in politics, regardless of party or ideology, and emphasized that greater representation of women in governance is essential. She highlighted several gender disparities in India, noting that women’s labour force participation in urban areas is only about 25%, and that barriers such as lack of working hostels, childcare facilities, and workplace safety affect women’s participation in the workforce.
She also pointed out the gap between education and employment, stating that while around 44% of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) graduates are women, only about 27% are part of the STEM workforce. She further spoke about social challenges such as marriage-related migration, domestic violence, and child marriage, which continue to impact women’s progress. She stressed that increasing women’s participation in leadership, governance, and decision-making roles is essential to address these challenges and promote inclusive development.
Ms Poorani, Founder & Managing Trustee,The Penn Collective Trust and Ms Manthra Shree, Project Lead of Thenkoodu, The Penn Collective Trust also addressed the gathering.
Mrs. Leelavathi Thirukkumaran shared her thoughts on empowering women.
Ms V Surithi,Vice-Chairman, Women Empowerment Sub-Committee, TEA proposed vote of thanks.
Mr. Prem Aggarwal, Executive committee Member, Mrs. Sumitha Roshan, Special Invitee of TEA and Mr. S. Saranraj, Chairman, Young TEA Subcommittee, Members of the Women Empowerment Subcommittee and over 80 womens from member units participated in the session.
