Core Insights - The availability of affordable and secure accommodation is essential for educated women to migrate to cities, enter the workforce, and sustain their careers [1] Group 1: Hostels as Labour-Market Infrastructure - State-backed hostels for women in Tamil Nadu operate at approximately 87% occupancy and serve women from at least 12 other states and Union Territories, facilitating job retention during early-career phases [2] - These hostels help women achieve financial independence, defer marriage, and gain control over life decisions [2] Group 2: Security and Challenges - Formal security measures such as biometric access and CCTV, along with women-only premises, enhance family confidence and encourage women to migrate and work independently [3] - Challenges identified include food quality, infrastructure maintenance, and lack of job information or financial guidance, which hinder the hostels' effectiveness as transitional support [3] Group 3: Empowerment and Economic Participation - The study emphasizes that India cannot leverage its demographic dividend if young women are unable to participate in paid work, highlighting the industry's responsibility to address structural constraints like housing and safety [5] - The report advocates for other states to adopt the Thozhi hostels model and recognize affordable accommodation for women as part of economic infrastructure [6]