This year’s poll promises have been all about household appliances, cash benefits to recognise carework and cooking gas subsidies, all targeting women. DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin called his party manifesto as a “heroine” and “superstar”.

While most parties have promised to increase the cash benefit for women for carework ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500, household appliances this time have also taken centre stage. But experts point out that while recognising women for the carework is a step towards progress, measures to strengthen the women workforce are lacking.