Chennai, March 7 (IANS): Tamil Nadu Governor K. Rosaiah on the eve of International Women's Day said it is still a long way to go before woman are brought into the mainstream.

"Even though the concept of women empowerment was introduced at the International Women's Conference way back in 1985 in Nairobi nearly three decades ago, yet we have a long way to go to bring more women into the mainstream," Rosaiah said in a statement Friday.

March 8 is marked as International Women's Day.

Terming women as the pillars of home and society, he said everybody should resolve to uphold women's dignity and ensure safety, security and respect for them.

In her message, AIADMK general secretary and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa extended her greetings to fellow women and listed various welfare measures for women implemented by her government.

DMK president and former chief minister M. Karunanidhi also greeted women and listed various measures taken by his government for their welfare.