Pillar: Agency & Engagement
26.5% of women in Salem own land in their name, behind the typical district. 69.6% take part in all three major household decisions, close to the typical district. The District Legal Services Authority provides the free legal aid that backs these rights when they are contested.
59% of registered enterprises are in services while 41% are in manufacturing. Only 5% of employment is in small and medium enterprises. 67% of school-age children are enrolled in higher secondary school (classes 9–12). Only 37% of ITI trainers are certified.
In Salem, which ranks 25 of 38 in Tamil Nadu for youth opportunity, the overall opportunity score is 49.8 out of 100. The district runs ahead of the national picture on women who own a house at 56.9% and households in the poorest wealth group at 7.1%, while it lags on women's freedom of movement at 26%.
Mandated services and how to locate the DLSA (Legal Aid) in Salem are in the Salem district course and the English reference guide (Hindi). See the Salem youth opportunity scorecard for the full district picture.