Kudumbashree, poverty eradication mission of the state of Kerala works with 48.08 lakhs women who are organised into 3.17 lakh Neighbourhood Groups. Kudumbashree is a holistic, participatory, women oriented innovative overarching poverty reduction approach. 'Kudumbashree' envisages prosperity of the economically backward families in the state with multiple programmes that will provide them information, create awareness, build up their capability and capacity, enhance their confidence and show them opportunity for better social security and empower them physically, socially and economically and politically. Kudumbashree has altered lives of economically backward women in the state, changed their perception, built their confidence, boosted their morale, rediscovered their dignity and honour, and empowered them economically, socially and politically.

 

To restore the denied or deprived entitlements of the poor the capability of the poor has to improve first. Capability deprivation is the root cause of poverty and to make them aware of their entitlements the first and foremost step adopted by the Mission is to build an organisation structure for the poor. The Community Based Organization (CBO) of the poor set up by the Mission under the leadership of Local self Governments plays a vital role in eradication of absolute poverty. The organisation of the poor built up by the Mission gives them an opportunity to realise the causes of poverty, different variables of poverty and the magnitude of poverty. It enables them to identify their entitlements and utilise the common platform to achieve it together. The Community Based Organization, which encompasses all sections of the poor, is organised into a three-tier structure i.e., NHG, ADS and CDS.

 

 

1. CBO Strengthening Programmes

Kudumbashree has a huge, distinctive CBO network. To attain the annual targets and goals set by Mission in a time bound manner, every member of the community network system has to be sensitised about Kudumbashree Programmes. This is difficult to achieve on account of the sheer numbers involved. Kudumbashree is also engaged in the implementation of various poverty eradication programmes and of socio-economic, developmental programmes of LSGs and Government departments through the community network. It is therefore necessary to augment and improve the skills and knowledge of Kudumbashree net work leaders, office bearers, elected representatives, entrepreneurs, line department officials, resource persons etc for a better social engineering and development process. For making the network system more vibrant and cohesive, special programmes and campaign drives have to be conducted from time to time depending on the specific requirement of the circumstances.

 

a. Back to School Campaign

Kudumbashree launched 'Thirike Schoolil' (Back To School) State Level Campaign in convergence with the Department of Education from 1 October 2023 to December 2023. As part of the state-level campaign organised by Kudumbashree, women from NHGs will come back to school as students. One of the main objectives of the campaign is to further strengthen the Kudumbashree three-tier organisational system and enable the NHGs to take up innovative projects in accordance with the new age possibilities. The campaign also aims to strengthen micro-economic livelihood activities in NHGs, create awareness about digital technology and create a vision that will help in uplifting the status of women.

 

b. Auxo Meet

Kudumbashree plans to conduct "Auxo meet@23" to upgrade and expand Kudumbashree Auxiliary groups; it is being organised on December 23, 2023 under the leadership of all CDSs in Kerala. It also aims to develop a local knowledge resource centre for the auxiliary groups mainly to develop the skills of the auxiliary groups to engage in social and cultural fields and to enable them to utilise innovative livelihood opportunities effectively.

 

c. Capacity Building Trainings

Kudumbashree is engaged in the implementation of various poverty eradication programs, socio-economic, developmental programs of LSGDs and Government departments through the community network, in this context training programme is very important. Hence training will be provided to CDS Member Secretaries, CDS accountants and CDS members etc.

 

2. Kudumbashree Auxiliary Group

Kudumbashree initiated formation of auxiliary groups to include more women youth in the age group of 18-40. As per Kudumbasree bylaw, only one woman can join the Kudumbashree Neighbourhood group representing each family. Now any women within the age group of 18-40 can join Kudumbashree as part of Auxiliary Group. Kudumbashree plans to involve Auxiliary groups to start more Microenterprises and make them aware of various social issues against women. 19,472 auxiliary groups have formed and 3,00,532 members have become part of it.

 

3. Strengthening of Kudumbashree Special NHGs

Kudumbashree Mission formed special NHGs comprising vulnerable sections like senior citizens (elderly), differently-abled and Transgender as members through a process of local mobilisation for poverty eradication. Through the special NHGs, Kudumbashree will help them for their sustainable livelihood, rehabilitation and integration into society and their participation in mainstream developmental processes. Capacitisation training and financial assistance also would be provided to these special NHGs. Capacitation trainings and awareness to health and other related issues of Special NHGs, psycho- social support to Special NHGs and financial assistance (Corpus Fund 5000/-per Special NHGs) will be provided by Kudumbashree.

 

4. Special initiatives for Kannada speaking linguistic minorities in Kasaragod

Kannada-speaking minorities live in 16 panchayats in Kasaragod district and government services are not readily available due to language barriers. Kudumbashree's activities in these areas are less than in other parts of Kasaragod district, especially in the areas of social inclusion, microfinance and livelihood area. Provided detailed guidelines regarding the operational manual of Kannada special project, and selected 32 community mentors from Kaanada speaking minorities.

 

5. Theerashree (special activities for the coastal area)

Kudumbashree initiated Theerashree to improve the socio economic conditions of the coastal population through the development of coastal communities. For this, service of 82 Coastal Community Volunteers were utilised. 13,151 NHGs and 1,83,431 NHG members were included in this Special Project. Two sub programmes- Prathibha theeram and Kaayika Theeram- were initiated as part of this. Prathibha theeram aims to provide special tuition and life skill education to the students in the evenings. As part of this programme, 62 centres were started. Kaayika Theeram formulated programmes to create opportunities for the coastal youth to take part in sports and games.

 

6. Model CDS

Model CDS concept means to develop Kudumbashree three tier institutions into community- owned, managed and community-controlled self-reliant and financially sustainable community institutions. Kudumbashree has graded 941 Rural CDS using detailed performance parameters and all the CDSs were categorised into A, B, C and D under the Model CDS programme. After the grading top scored 152 CDS were selected as Model CDSs (one from each Block). Among the 152 CDS, One CDS was selected as Community Managed Training Center (CMTC) cum exposure site known as a Centre of Excellence. This centre is fully managed by CDS and community members, each having a residential training capacity of 35. Kudumbashree has Provided detailed guidelines regarding sustainable developmental indicators of MCDS and disbursed infrastructure development fund to 152 CDS [Rs. 2.00 lakh per CDS].

 

7. KBPS- Textbook distribution

School Textbooks for children from Class I to Class XII are printed in Kerala by KBPS, a public sector undertaking company. From the financial year 2020-21, the Government has entrusted Kudumbashree with the responsibility of distributing books from 15 hubs in Kerala to 3200 school societies. Through this activity, more than 300 Kudumbashree members can get employment and deliver books to children on time.

 

8. Village Poverty Reduction Plan (VPRP)

The Village Poverty Reduction Plan (VPRP) is a community demand plan prepared by the Kudumbshree three-tier network which can be further integrated into the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP). This is a demand plan, consolidating the status of interventions in the areas of microfinance, entrepreneurship, farming, social development activities etc. and indicating the quantum of need in each of these areas. This Action plan is to be integrated with the development plans of the local self governments.

 

9. Kudumbashree Anniversary Celebrations

Kudumbashree Anniversary celebrations will be conducted every year at different levels by the members of Kudumbashree community organisation network and local self governments across the district. This will be an opportunity for the Kudumbashree network of community organisations to take stock of past experiences, celebrate achievements and plan the future course of action.

 

10. Arangu Kalolsavam

The goal of this program is to create an opportunity for NHG members to showcase their innate talents and cultural activities. It intends to conduct 1070 CDS level programs, 77 taluk level programs, 14 district level programs, and then state programs.

 

11. Kudumbashree CBO Election

Bringing transparency and accountability in the Community Based Organization is utmost important. For this Kudumbashree Mission has a systematic election procedure for the selection of office bearers in NHG, ADS and CDS level. This procedure in turn contributes in developing democratic values and skills among the community which will be an asset for the better functioning of the local government bodies. The three tier Kudumbashree general election processes, conducted once in three years.

 

Members of the NHGs elect a five-member executive committee consisting of a President, a Secretary, and three Volunteers to take care of three areas of work namely (a) health and education, (b) income generation and (c) infrastructure and related issues. The ADS consists of two bodies. One is the General Body consisting of the Presidents, Secretaries and Volunteers of all the affiliated NHGs in the Ward. The second is the Executive Committee consisting of Eleven members including a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and a Secretary, all elected by the General Body. The CDS comprises a General Body consisting of all members of the Executive Committee of all ADSs in the Panchayat/Municipality, and an Executive Committee consisting of a representative each from the Executive Committees of all ADSs. The Executive Committee elects two office bearers for the positions of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of which one should be from the BPL households. In addition, women members from the Panchayat (or Municipal) Council not exceeding five along with an official to function as Member Secretary, two experienced former office bearers of the CDS are also nominated as ex-officio members. Voting right is limited to only the Kudumbashree members. The first CBO election was held in 2008.

 

 

12. Administrative Grant for CDS

Kudumbashree CDS has been managing multidisciplinary roles and responsibilities. It has been involved in a large number of poverty eradication and local economic programmes of both Kudumbashree and Local bodies. It plays a crucial and important role in the identification/selection of beneficiaries, disbursement of assistance, monitoring of progress of schemes etc. Programmes like NULM, PMAY, RSBY, NREGS etc are being implemented with community support and availing of the social mobilisation capacity of Kudumbashree community network. Besides these, CDS has to Co-ordinate functions and activities of Kudumbashree NHGs, ADS, Thrift and credit programmes, bank linkage, Auxiliary group strengthening activities, Local Economic Development (LED) Programmes, etc. The CDSs have to become vibrant and economically viable organisations to perform their duties and responsibilities well. It is therefore necessary to provide some sort of financial support/assistance to CDS in order to meet their administrative overheads. Keeping the above in view, each Kudumbashree CDS is given financial assistance that varies from 4,000/- to 5,000/- by way of Administrative Grant.

 

13. Honorarium to CDS Chairpersons

CDS has a vibrant role in the grass root level for implementing various activities. Under the Kudumbashree System 1,070 CDS Chairpersons are working. Considering their duties and responsibilities and the time and energy needed to carry them out, Kudumbashree Mission granted a Monthly Honorarium of Rs. 8,000 per month to each CDS Chairperson.

 

14. Accountant Support to CDS

Kudumbashree Mission has positioned CDS Accountant on contract basis in 1070 CDSs and 14 district mission offices for supporting CDS and District Mission office on their day to day functioning.

 

 

 

Last updated on 08-November-2024