On 22 March 2025, the II State Annual Convention of the Single Women’s Action Network (SWAN) was held in Madurai, co-organised by 140+ civil society organisations from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. This historic gathering marked the culmination of year-long grassroots consultations. A comprehensive Charter of Demands, a collective, community-driven roadmap for systemic change, was released on the occasion.
2,342 delegates from all 38 districts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, created a vibrant, inclusive, and inspiring space for single women and their allies to raise their voices in unity. At the heart of the event was the clear demand for dignity, rights, and recognition for single women in Tamil Nadu.
They were of all hues (all communities including tribal, Dalit, trans-women), different vulnerabilities (single women with disabilities, senior citizens), some were single by choice, some due to their profession (fishing, sex work, artistes, migrant workers), widows (TASMAC-widows, caste-atrocity widows, choice-marriage widows), half-widows, separated, deserted, divorced, and women whose partners are incarcerated or missing.
The highlight of the convention was the single women themselves presenting the charter of demands. Their stories, shared boldly on stage, resonated powerfully and humanised the issues at stake. The demands emerged from a deeply intersectional approach, ensuring that the specific challenges faced by single women were front and centre. Each of the 10 demands was thoughtfully crafted to reflect the lived realities of single women from diverse communities, across caste, religion, region, and socioeconomic status and presented by one women who was personally affected.
Several dignitaries, who expressed solidarity and committed to championing the cause, served to underscore the historic importance of the moment. Among them were:
Ms. K. Balabharathi, Former Member, Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly
Ms. Saroja, Panchayat President, Kurusilapattu Panchayat, Tirupathur District
Dr. Gomathi Senthilkumar, Advocate, Chennai High Court
Ms. P. Suganthi, General Secretary, All India Democratic Women’s Association
Ms. A.S. Kumari, Chairperson, Tamil Nadu State Commission for Women
Each of these dignitaries recognized the significance of the demands and pledged to work towards their realization, affirming their commitment to transforming the aspirations of single women into actionable policies.
It was a movement in action, articulating a powerful vision, and a demonstration of unity – a clear signal that with solidarity, change is not only possible, it is inevitable.
Celebrating Solidarity, Accelerating Action, Accessing Justice !
