A STUDY ON WOMEN EMPOWERMENT THROUGH MICRO FINANCE AT

KUDUMBASHREE MISSION

PROJECT REPORT
Submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for award of degree in

BACHELOR OF COMMERCE WITH TAX PROCEDURE & PRACTICE

OF

UNIVERSITY OF KERALA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

SUBMITTED BY:

S. VIDYA DEVI

REGISTER NO: 33716825034

COURSE CODE: CX 1644

Under the guidance of

Mrs. Renjitha S V

Assistant Professor

Post Graduate Department of Commerce

CHRIST NAGAR COLLEGE

MARANALLOOR, KOOVALASSERY.P.O,
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, KERALA-695512
March 2019

1
 DECLARATION

I, S. VIDYA DEVI, Sixth Semester student of Christ Nagar College,

Maranalloor, hereby declare that the project work entitled, “ A STUDY ON
WOMEN EMPOWERMENT THROUGH MICRO FINANCE” in
KUDUMBASHREE MISSION, submitted to the University of Kerala in partial
fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Bachelor of
Commerce with Tax Procedure & Practice, is a record of original work done by me
under the guidance of Mrs. Renjitha S V, Assistant Professor, Post Graduate
Department of Commerce, Christ Nagar College, Maranalloor.

I further declare that no part of the work has been previously formed the basis
for the award of any Degree, Diploma, Fellowship or any other similar title of any
university or similar institution of any person.

S. Vidya Devi

Reg. No: (337-16825034)

Place: Maranalloor

2
 MARANALLOOR,KOOVALASSERY.P.O,
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, KERALA- 695512

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that this project report entitled “A Study on Women

Empowerment through Micro Finance” in Kudumbashree Mission is a bonafide
record of the project work done by S. Vidya Devi, Reg. No: ( 3371-6825034 ) in
partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of the Degree of B.Com
Commerce with Tax Procedure & Practice (CBCSS) of University of Kerala during
the academic year 2018 - 19 under our supervision and guidance .

Mrs. Renjitha S V

Assistant Professor

PG Department of Commerce

Prof. T. RajasekharanPillai Dr. Jolly Jacob

Head, PG Department of Commerce Principal

Place: Maranalloor

Date:
3
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Any accomplishment requires the efforts of many people and the work is not
much different. First of all, I thank the Almighty God , the guiding light of my life ,
for giving me the strength and the courage to complete this project work
successfully .

I am extremely thankful to our beloved Principal, Dr. Jolly Jacob for her
blessing and inspiration. I also express my heartfelt gratitude to
Prof.T.Rajasekharan Pillai (Head, Post Graduate Department of Commerce)
for his encouragement and guidance .I also express my heartfelt gratitude to Fr. Dr.
Titto Varghese CMI for his support and guidance.

I also express my deep gratitude to my Guide Mrs. Renjitha S V, Assistant

Professor , Post Graduate Department of Commerce for the valuable guidance
and suggestion. I take the privilege to extend my sincere thanks to the faculty
members and all other staffs of Christ Nagar College for the valuable suggestions
throughout the project duration.

I also take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to Mrs. Vidya L

and other staff members of Kudumbashree Mission for providing me all the
technical guidance and help for the success of the project.

Finally I thank all the respondents for having patiently answered to questions
raised by me and for the cooperation extended during the project. I sincerely
acknowledge the valuable help and support rendered by my parents and friends in
successfully completing this endeavor.

Place: Maranalloor S. Vidya Devi

Reg. No:(337-16825034)

4
 CONTENT
CHAPTER TITLE PAGE
NUMBER

1 Introduction 1-9

2 Company Profile 10-35

3 Data Analysis and Interpretation 36-52

4 Findings , Suggestions and Conclusion 53-55

Bibliography

Appendix

5
 LIST OF TABLES
SL NO. TABLE TITLE PAGE
NUMBER NUMBER
1 3.1 Table showing Age wise classification 36

2 3.2 Table showing Position of the respondents 37

3 3.3 Table showing Purpose of becoming the member of 38

Kudumbashree

4 3.4 Table showing Employment status before joining 39

Kudumbashree

5 3.5 Table showing Income of respondents before joining 40

Kudumbashree unit

6 3.6 Table showing Internal Loan from Kudumbashree 41

7 3.7 Table showing Training Programs 42

8 3.8 Table showing Is Micro Finance benefited or not 43

9 3.9 Table showing Livelihood of the respondents 44

10 3.10 Table showing Satisfaction of the respondents by the 45

scheme provided by Kudumbashree

11 3.11 Table showing Monthly income status of the 46

respondents

12 3.12 Table showing Payment of EMI 47

13 3.13 Table showing Savings at the end of the last year 48

14 3.14 Table showing Monthly savings 49

15 3.15 Table showing Reinvestment of savings 50

16 3.16 Table showing Standard of living of the respondents 51

17 3.17 Table showing Is it beneficial for self survival of the 52

respondents

LIST OF FIGURES
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SL NO. TABLE TITLE PAGE
NUMBER NUMBER
1 3.1 Figure showing Age wise classification 36

2 3.2 Figure showing Position of the respondents 37

3 3.3 Figure showing Purpose of becoming the member of 38

Kudumbashree

4 3.4 Figure showing Employment status before joining 39

Kudumbashree

5 3.5 Figure showing Income of respondents before 40

joining Kudumbashree unit

6 3.6 Figure showing Internal Loan from Kudumbashree 41

7 3.7 Figure showing Training Programs 42

8 3.8 Figure showing Is Micro Finance benefited or not 43

9 3.9 Figure showing Livelihood of the respondents 44

10 3.10 Figure showing Satisfaction of the respondents by 45

the scheme provided by Kudumbashree

11 3.11 Figure showing Monthly income status of the 46

respondents

12 3.12 Figure showing Payment of EMI 47

13 3.13 Figure showing Savings at the end of the last year 48

14 3.14 Figure showing Monthly savings 49

15 3.15 Figure showing Reinvestment of savings 50

16 3.16 Figure showing Standard of living of the 51

respondents

17 3.17 Figure showing Is it beneficial for self survival of 52

the respondents

7
 CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

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1.1 INTRODUCTION

Women are an integral part of every economy. Overall development and harmonious growth of a
nation would be possible only when women are considered as equal partners in progress with men.
Empowerment of women is essential to harness the women labour in the main stream of economic
development. Empowerment of women is a holistic concept. It is multi-dimensional in its
approach and covers economic, political, social/cultural and personal and aspects. Of all these
facets of women development, economic empowerment is of utmost significance in order to
achieve a lasting and sustainable development of society. Provision of micro finance is an
important means for attaining women empowerment.

Women Empowerment is the process in which women elaborate and recreate what it is that they
can do, and accomplish in a circumstance that they previously were denied. Empowerment can be
defined in many ways, however, when talking about women’s empowerment, empowerment
means accepting and allowing people (women) who are on the outside of the decision-making
process into it. “This puts a strong emphasis on participation in political structures and formal
decision-making and, in the economic sphere, on the ability to obtain an income that enables
participation in economic decision-making”. Empowerment is the process that creates power in
individuals over their own lives, society, and in their communities. People are empowered when
they are able to access the opportunities available to them without limitations and restrictions.
Feeling entitled to make your own decisions creates a sense of empowerment. Empowerment
includes the action of raising the status of women through education, raising awareness, literacy,
and training. Women's empowerment is all about equipping and allowing women to take life-
determining decisions throughout the different problems in society.

1.2 MICRO FINANCE AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

Micro finance is the extension of small loans to entrepreneurs, too poor to qualify for traditional
bank loans. It can also be described as provision of small-scale financial services to clients who are
economically active in various urban and rural areas. It is the provision of thrift, credit and other
financial services and products of very small amounts mainly to the poor in rural, semi-urban and
urban areas for enabling them to raise their income level and improve living standards. Of late,
micro finance has become a key word with Governments, NGOs and international institutions like

9
the World Bank. It has proven to be an effective and popular measure in the ongoing struggle
against poverty as well as for women empowerment.

The micro finance industry, which began in 1976 with the establishment of Grameen Bank in
Bangladesh, is now a worldwide movement comprising thousands of specialist banks, credit
unions, co-operatives, village credit societies, NGOs and charities extended across both the rich
and the poor countries. Their common purpose is to extend the outreach of banking services
especially business credit to those who do not qualify for normal bank loans. Micro credits are
granted at commercial interest rates, though at much lower rates than those charged by the
informal money lenders.

Micro finance has several other developmental objectives like mobilisation of savings. It has also
been used as an inducer in different community development activities, as an entry point in the
community-organizing programme and as an ingredient in a larger education or training exercise.
All these programmes aim at the empowerment of poor people especially women and eradication
of poverty.

The provision of adequate doses of micro finance in time to the women folk for their personal,
familial and business purposes by a dependable agency would naturally generate confidence and
zeal among them for the performance of their activities. It is based on the recognition that the
capacity of the poor women for entrepreneurship would be encouraged with the availability of
small-scale loans and would introduce them to the small enterprise sector.

Self Help Groups are the voluntary organisations, which disburse micro credit to the members and
facilitate them to enter into entrepreneurial activities. Formation of Self Help Groups of women in
India has been recognized as an effective strategy for the empowerment of women in rural as well
as urban areas. Since the overall empowerment of women is crucially dependent on economic
empowerment, women through these Self Help Groups are enabled to involve in a range of areas
such as health, sanitation, nutrition, agriculture, forestry, etc., besides income generation activities
availing micro credit.

1.3 REVIEW OF LITERATURE

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The significance of women empowerment and the role of micro finance in the empowerment of
women has been the focus of a number of studies carried out in recent times. A brief review of
some of these studies has been made here.

Jaya S. Anand (2002) in her discussion paper titled “Self-Help Groups in Empowering Women:
Case Study of Selected SHGs and NHGs”, gives a review of progress of SelfHelp Groups. She has
attempted to examine the performance of selected SHGs and NHGs and to assess its impact,
especially the impact of micro credit programme on empowering women. It has been clearly
established that delivering credit alone may not produce the desired impact. The supporting
services and structures through which credit is delivered, ranging from group formation and
training to awareness-raising and a wide range of other supporting measures are critical to make
the impact of group activity strong and sustainable.

Meenakshi Malhotra (2004) in her work entitled, “Empowerment of Women” (in 3 volumes),
deals with the issues leading to empowerment of women with particular reference to rural women.
Volume one deals with issues like gender inequalities in labour market and in entrepreneurship.
Volume two focuses on micro finance options for women empowerment. It looks into micro credit
schemes for rural women and micro finance movement in India. Third volume describes the
various programmes introduced to empower women and bring them into the orbit of development
network.

Priya Basu and Pradeep Srivastava (2005) in their paper titled, “Exploring Possibilities – Micro
finance and Rural Credit Access for the Poor in India”, empirically analyse the reach of the most
dominant micro finance initiative, the SHG-bank linkage model. The paper draws lessons for
exploiting the potential of micro finance in India, outlines areas of concern for government policy
towards this important sector and suggests ways to scale up access to finance for the poor.

Mahendra Varman.P. (2005)in his paper titled, “Impact of Self-Help Groups on Formal Banking
Habits”, makes a modest attempt to examine whether there is any association between the growth
of SHGs and the increase in female bank deposit accounts and whether SHGs have a tendency to
influence account holding in formal banks. In the process, the paper tries to trace the socio-
economic factors that determine deposit and credit account holdings in formal banks among
individuals and households. The analysis also reveals that being a member in SHGs, and more

11
importantly, having leadership experience in SHGs greatly influences the bank account holding.
Leadership experience in SHGs would also improve an individual’s banking habits.

M.S.Sriram (2005) in his article, “Micro finance and the State, Exploring Areas and Structures of
Collaboration,” reviews the performance of formal institutional channels of micro finance and
discusses the emergence of new forms of collaboration in the delivery of micro finance services.
However, some persistent issues in regulatory policies and institutional arrangements need to be
dealt with so as to help the State regulate the resources available for the poor, effectively and in a
sustainable manner.

Frances Sinha (2005) in his Article “Access, Use and Contribution of Micro finance in India,
Findings from a National Study”, describes that Micro finance is making a significant contribution
to both the savings and borrowings of the poor in the country. 7 The main use of micro credit is
for direct investment. While the presence of micro finance has increased the borrowing options for
the poorer clients, it seems not yet to have significantly affected the terms and conditions of
different informal credit providers. According to the author the performance of SHG model is
exceptional in providing a savings-based mechanism for internal group credit to meet household
needs. This mechanism, also serves to facilitate access to credit by poorer clients, who are more
likely to need small amounts of credit for immediate household purposes but appear less credit
worthy for larger MFI loans.

Tara S. Nair (2005) in her paper, “The Transforming World of Indian Micro Finance”, explains
that upscaling the provision of micro finance on the strength of its performance measured
primarily in terms of repayment rates and financial sustainability indicators of a handful of micro
finance institutions and without a serious reconsideration of certain vital development issues may
prove in the long run to be an imprudent development strategy. Any effort at upscaling thus needs
to be viewed with caution as it could actually lead to increased failures and credit indiscipline in
the field. Meanwhile, globally there is a visible trend of the commercialisation of micro finance,
with NGOs transforming themselves into regulated financial institutions or Non Banking Financial
Companies and commercial banks entering the business of micro finance.

Muhammad Yunus (2004) in his paper, “Grameen Bank, Micro Credit and Millennium
Development Goals”, traces the evolution of the ideas and practice of micro credit as pioneered by
the Grameen Bank. Over the years micro credit programmes in Bangladesh have grown, providing
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a wide range of services to meet the economic and social needs of its citizens, mostly poor
women. It comes up with suggestions regarding the emerging issues of financial self-reliance and
institutional sustainability of micro credit programmes.

Sunil Agarwal (2003) in his paper, “Technology Model for Women’s Empowerment, Reaching
the Unreached”, suggests that in rural scenario, choice and role of appropriate technology in
relation to women and development became crucial in building up local capacity to devise
solutions to tackle the identified problems to improve their quality of life. The emphasis should be
to improve upon existing skills, provide managerial capabilities and to understand the science
behind the processes/products. It will inculcate a scientific temper and make them more open to
improved emerging technologies for improving production, efficiency and reducing drudgery in
their day-to-day work. He is of the view that since rural women have special understanding of
natural resource management, they can play a crucial role in re-nurturing and re-greening rural
India. Use of science and technology is essential to ease women’s workload inside and outside the
house involving them as equal partners, recognising their knowledge, experience and the
significant role they can play in sustainable development.

Laxmi R. Kulshrestha (2000) in her paper, “Micro Finance: The New Development Paradigm for
Poor Rural Women”, points out that lack of capital is a serious constraint to the development of
rural women. Often, the barriers like legal provisions, loan policies and procedures make credit
inaccessible to women. Studies have shown that credit can help women to take up farm-allied
activities and the income generated from credit given to women can be expected to be spent for
well being of the household. This novel innovative approach of micro finance emphasises
financial intermediation with self sustainability of institutions.

1.4 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Alleviation of poverty, the core of all developmental efforts has remained a very complex and
critical concern for developing countries. Experience has shown that many of the poverty
alleviation programmes have not achieved the expected success. In spite of considerable
improvement in the status of women, they still comprise the largest section of deprived population.
Empowerment of women is seen as one of the most important means of poverty eradication. Lack
13
of capital is a serious constraint to the development of poor women in rural and urban areas who
find little or no access to credit.

The Government of Kerala launched Kudumbashree with the active support of Government of
India and NABARD for wiping out absolute poverty from the State within a period of 10 years
through micro finance. Kudumbashree aims at the empowerment of women, giving them the
central place in the programmes meant for their benefit. At present all the poverty alleviation
schemes in Kerala – both Centrally sponsored and State schemes – are implemented through
Kudumbashree. The Kudumbashree project, if effectively implemented has the potential to
achieve empowerment of women in Kerala in a big way. Our project “Women Empowerment
through Microfinance” helps to understand how far the scheme has succeeded in empowering
women through micro financing.

1.5 NEED AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Empowerment of women is considered as an important responsibility of every government. Till

recently very little attention has been given to empowerment issues or ways in which both
empowerment and sustainability aims could be accommodated. Women’s access to savings and
credit gives them greater economic role in decision making through their decisions regarding
savings and credit. When women control decisions regarding credit and savings, they optimise
their own and the household’s welfare. In addition to the influence of the project in raising
incomes and encouraging poor households to enter the market economy, it also serves as an entry
point for comprehensive community and human development. A study on Kudumbashree project
will enable us to know the role of this project in women empowerment through micro financing. It
also helps us in locating the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of this project and to
give suggestions for improvement and remedial measures wherever necessary. Though there are a
large number of studies related to micro finance and women empowerment, empowerment of
women through Kudumbashree has not received much attention so far. Hence, this study assumes
great importance.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study is conducted in 36 units of Vattiyoorkavu ,Thiruvanathapuram district in Kerala state

focusing on Kudumbashree strategies for empowering the women. The main intension of the
14
study is to assess the level of empowerment achieved by women through Kudumbashree.
Assessment of the different dimension of empowerment-economic,social and political-is done by
studying the impact of various Kudumbashree activities.

1.7 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main objectives of the present study are:

1) To understand the structure, working and progress of Kudumbashree Project in 36 units of

Vattiyoorkavu area.
2) To examine the role of Kudumbashree Project in women empowerment through micro
financing.
3) To give suggestions for the improvement of the performance of Kudumbashree Project.

1.8 METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY

The study is both empirical and descriptive. Primary and secondary data have been made use of
for the analysis. The overall progress of the Kudumbashree Project is being assessed with the help
of secondary data which are collected from published sources like Annual Reports and Records of
Kudumbashree Mission and Economic Review, books, periodicals, newspapers, internet, etc.
Primary data have been collected through a field survey.

1.9 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

 Area of study is limited to Thiruvananthapuram city only.

 Limited time and money is the major limitation.
 The study is based on primary data and hence all the limitation of primary data is
applicable to the study.

1.10 CHAPTERIZATION

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

It outlines the subject of study, the statement of problem, the significance of problem, the
relevance and the purpose of the study, the scope of study and the limitations that restrict its
application.
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CHAPTER 2: COMPANY PROFILE

It states the corporate profile of the subject body- State Kudumbashree Mission giving accounts on
its inception, historical importance, objectives and functions. The chapter also includes detailed
accounts on the framework of the associated organization and their various activities and
programmes.

CHAPTER 3: DATA AND ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

It features the analysis and evaluation of data obtained. The statistical functions employed, the
inference derived from the different data analysis, the procedural stages of annually. The reported
problems are also provided here.

CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS AND SUGGESTIONS

It contains the results of the study suggestions arrived at, on the basis of the results obtained are
made available here along with a brief summary of the project findings.

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 CHAPTER 2
COMPANY PROFILE

17
2.1 KUDUMBASHREE MISSION
Kudumbashree is the poverty eradication and women empowerment programme implemented by
the State Poverty Eradication Mission (SPEM) of the Government of Kerala. The name
Kudumbashree in Malayalam language means ‘prosperity of the family’. The name represents
‘Kudumbashree Mission’ or SPEM as well as the Kudumbashree Community Network. What is
commonly referred to as ‘Kudumbashree’ could mean either the Kudumbashree Community
Network, or the Kudumbashree Mission, or both.
Kudumbashree was set up in 1997 following the recommendations of a three member Task Force
appointed by the State government. Its formation was in the context of the devolution of powers to
the Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs) in Kerala, and the Peoples’ Plan Campaign, which attempted
to draw up the Ninth Plan of the local governments from below through the PRIs.
Kudumbashree has a three-tier structure for its women community network, with Neighbourhood
Groups (NHGs) at the lowest level, Area Development Societies (ADS) at the middle level, and
Community Development Societies (CDS) at the local government level. The community structure
that Kudumbashree accepted is the one that evolved from the experiments in Alappuzha
Municipality and Malappuram in early 1990s.
Kudumbashree community network was extended to cover the entire State in three phases during
2000-2002. The Kudumbashree network by 15th March 2017 had 2,77,175 NHGs affiliated to
19,854 ADSs and 1073 CDSs with a total membership of 43,06,976 women. Kudumbashree
membership is open to all adult women, limited to one membership per family.
In 2011, the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India recognised
Kudumbashree as the State Rural Livelihoods Mission (SRLM) under the National Rural
Livelihoods Mission (NRLM).

2.2 KUDUMBASHREE COMMUNITY NETWORK

Kudumbashree is essentially a community network that covers the entire State of Kerala. It consist
of a three tier structure with Neighbourhood Groups (NHGs) as primary level units, Area
Development Societies (ADS) at the ward level, and Community Development Societies (CDS) at
the local government level. It is arguably one of the largest women’s networks in the world. While
the community network is formed around the central themes of poverty eradication and women

18
empowerment, its main features include democratic leadership, and support structures formed from
the ‘Kudumbashree family’.

2.3 HISTORY AND EVOLUTION

Kudumbashree means different things to different people. For some, it is the poverty eradication
project of the State government of Kerala. Some others view it as an exclusive domain of women
engaged in social work. Yet in some others, the term Kudumbashree evokes the image of the
women in uniform who come to collect waste from their door steps.
For several people, Kudumbashree is like a blessing; a God-send. It appears as food to the hungry,
as medicine to the sick, as a helping hand to the ailing. Sections of men also see Kudumbashree as
an unwanted platform that made women arrogant. There are politicians who think Kudumbashree
as a channel to reach the poor; there are also politicians who see Kudumbashree as a hindrance to
decision-making process. Certain others see it as a platform from where women enter politics.
The poverty eradication mission is called Kudumbashree. In a village setting, a NHG is called
Kudumbashree. The CDS is called Kudumbashree. CDS chairperson is referred to as
Kudumbashree chairperson. Women believe that it is Kudumbashree that supplies nutrimix to
Anganawadis.
If all of these is Kudumbashree, then, what is its history? How did it evolve? What we are trying to
understand is how Kudumbashree – the community network of women and the Mission that
supports it – came into being. Tracing it would amount to placing it in context, and examining the
experiments and experiences from which the idea called Kudumbashree evolved.

2.4 EVOLUTION OF THE KUDUMBASHREE IDEA

Set in the context of the People’s Plan Movement which was a state strategy for mass mobilisation
for bottom-up planning in the wake of the decentralisation of powers, Kudumbashree has been an
outcome of its specific context.
From the perspective of a government programme, Kudumbashree was the extension of the CDS
experiments in Alappuzha and Malappuram. At the same time, the CDS initiatives themselves had
drawn lessons and strategies from the NABARD led initiative of SHG Bank Linkage Programme.
As an idea, its base has been neighbourhood groups (NHGs); the NHG idea had its own history
within the State’s civil society domain.

19
The NHG idea stayed in contrast with the SHG concept that had been promoted in many countries
as well as in several States of India. The NHGs here were to be forums for planning and
development action too. The concept of such NHGs too has peculiar roots in Kerala’s development
history. And the very concept of forming groups around neighbourhoods had been ingrained in
traditional forms of community organisation in the state.
In sum, the Kudumbashree idea appears to have evolved through the community mobilisation
experiments in Alappuzha and Malappuram, also drawing in from the various civil society
initiatives in community mobilisation for different purposes. The Kerala CDS model, as
recognised widely, evolved from the Alappuzha and Malappuram experiments. However, these
initiatives themselves were informed by the experiences of certain traditional community
organisations and practices.
As pointed out by Rajeev Sadanandan, who was the district collector at Malappuram during the
experiment there, women in NHGs fixed 2% interest rate on the credit availed from the groups
based on their experience in traditional organisations.
Eventually it was the decentralisation of powers to PRIs and the People’s Plan Campaign set the
stage for Kudumbashree’s formation.

2.5 THE MISSION SETTING UP

In 1997, a special task force consisting of S.M. Vijayanand, Secretary responsible for the State
Urban Poverty Alleviation (UPA) Project Cell, T.M. Thomas Isaac, Member, State Planning
Board, and Dr Prakash Bakshi of NABARD recommended the setting up of a State Poverty
Eradication Mission (SPEM). The purpose of the proposed mission was to eradicate absolute
poverty from the state over a period of ten years.
The three member task force was to examine the feasibility of a state-level mission for poverty
eradication in the context of the people’s plan campaign. This was in 1997; the people’s plan
campaign was launched in 1996.
Following the 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendments, the government of Kerala had passed
new Acts for panchayats and urban local governments in 1994. The government further approved
the Rules for the implementation of the two Acts. State Finance Commission and State Election
Commission were also constituted. Elections were held to the three-tier panchayats and urban local
governments in September 1995.

20
On 2nd October 1995, a government order was issued devolving functions and functionaries to
gram panchayats. The Government Order of 2nd October, however, was silent on devolution of
functions and functionaries to block and district panchayats.
The new government took over the State administration following the assembly elections in May
1996. The new government announced the devolution of a third of the State’s plan funds to the
local governments. The government also launched the People’s Plan Campaign for formulating the
Ninth Plan from below.
The massive devolution of funds to the local governments and the campaign for formulation of the
Ninth Plan from below added substantial impetus to the process of decentralisation. These
initiatives also put Kerala in the lead role in the country in terms of devolution of functions,
functionaries, and funds.
The state government approved the recommendations of the report and the formation of the State
Poverty Eradication Mission (SPEM) was announced in the state budget of 1997-98. The Prime
Minister inaugurated the mission at Malappuram on 17th May 1998.
SPEM was registered under the Travancore-Cochin Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies
Act of 1955 in November 1998. SPEM started functioning on 1st April 1999 under the local self-
government department; it was named Kudumbashree mission.
The State UPA Project Cell was merged with Kudumbashree mission and all the poverty
alleviation programmes, both centrally sponsored and state-supported, were entrusted with the
mission. With the Government of India declaring Kudumbashree as ‘State Urban Development
Agency’ (SUDA), programmes such as SJSRY and NSDP fell under the purview of the Mission.
The three member task force that recommended the setting up of Kudumbashree mission, had also
laid down certain cardinal principles relating to the formation and functioning of the proposed
community based organisation in the context of PRIs and urban local governments emerging as
major players in the State’s development.
 The community organisation would have a three tier structure with neighbourhood groups,
area development societies, and community development societies.
 Local governments and community organisations were to work together on equal terms;
one was not to be subordinate to the other.
 CDS was not to be an appendage of the local governments; instead local governments were
to respect their autonomy.
 CDS should respect local governments as institutions of local government.
21
  Information was to be freely shared between the local governments and the community
network.
 CDS was to be accountable to local governments for the local government funds that they
used.

2.6 CBO STRUCTURE

Kudumbashree was conceived as a joint programme of the Government of Kerala implemented
through Community Development Societies (CDSs) of Poor Women, serving as the community
wing of Local Governments. Kudumbashree developed an innovative methodology to identify the
poor using non-economic parameters. The poor thus identified are organized under a well
networked Community Based Organization (CBO). For effective convergence of the programme, a
three tier community based organization (CBO) is in action. This methodology has since been
incorporated into the policy framework of the State for identification of the poor.

2.7 THE THREE-TIER FRAMEWORK

The Kudumbashree CBOs are built on a three-tier structure at the Panchayath/Municipality level,
which has democratically elected governance systems under the new Panchayath Raj. At the
primary level, there are the Neighbourhood Groups (NHGs) with 10 to 204 members, where
eligible women can enrol themselves as members. These NHGs are then affiliated to an Area
Development Society (ADS) at the ward level. All the ADSs in a Panchayat/Municipality are then
affiliated to a Community Development Society (CDS). The membership of Kudumbashree is
through its NHG and opens to women belonging to both ‘poor’ and ‘non-poor’ households,
commonly referred to as BPL and APL households. The 3 tier framework of Kudumbashree CBO
structure is shown below.

 Neighbourhood Groups (NHGs) - Groups of 10-20 women from the same neighbourhood
form the foundation of the structure
 Area Development Society (ADS) - Federation of NHGs within a ward of the LSG
 Community Development Society (CDS) - Registered Society as the Federation of ADS
within the LSG.
The lowest tier constitutes the Neighbourhood Group with 10 to 20 women members selected from
economically backward families. Meetings are convened on a weekly basis in the houses of NHG
22
members. In the weekly meeting all members bring their thrift, which will be collected and
recycled, to the system by way of sanctioning loans. In each Neighbourhood Group from among
the poor women five office-bearers are selected for undertaking various functional activities.
 President
 Secretary
 Income generation activities volunteer (IGA)
 Community Health-Education Volunteer
 Infrastructure Volunteer
The second tier is the Area Development Society, which is formed at ward- level by federating all
the NHGs in the ward. The activities and the decision in the ADS are decided by the
representatives of the women elected from various NHGs. The Area Development Society consists
of:
 General Body of ADS - Consists of all Presidents, Secretaries & three sectoral volunteers
of the federated NHGs.
 Governing Body of ADS - Consists of seven member governing body elected from the
general body. The seven member governing body consists of ADS chairperson, ADS vice-
chairperson and ADS secretary.
The following are the ex-officio members of ADS general body and governing body:
 ICDS/Anganvadi worker
 Saksharatha Prerak
 Two experienced ex-ADS office bearers.
 Local Junior Public Health Nurse
There is also provision for proportionate representation of SC/ST members in the Committee.
Ward Member/Municipal Councillor of the Ward to be Patron of the ADS.

2.8 BYELAW
Kudumbashree is a network of community based organizations (CBO) for women, who have been
registered as Community Development Societies under the State Charitable Societies Act. There is
a common byelaw which provides the policy and functional framework for the network.
2.8.1 Salient Features of the CDS Byelaw
 Membership matter of right

23
  Attention to representation of vulnerable communities like SC, ST, disabled - special
provisions
 Independance from and complementarity to the local government clarified
 Evaluation Committee of the CDS
 CDS Action Plans (Micro Level Demand Plans)
 Accountabiity framework incorporated
 Independent election process ensured.
Ten years of experience have indicated the various areas for clarity and modification in the
Kudumbashree CDS byelaw. The CDS byelaw was comprehensively amended by Govt. wide
G.O(P)198/2014/LSGD dated 13-11-2014. The new byelaws made the CDS more inclusive and
representative, and clarified election procedures and LSG space vis a vis CDS, It also brought in
role clarity and accountability to the system. A subcommittee of the Governing body had
developed the modified byelaw through an intense, interactive, consultative process. After
imparting training to all concerned which included NHG members, officials of Kudumbashree and
LSGs and elected representatives on how to change over to the new byelaw, elections were
conducted throughout the State at NHG, ADS, CDS levels. The election process was in a free and
fair manner throughout the state in almost all CDSs and has brought in a more transparent and
democratic system.

2.9 KUDUMBASHREE ORGANISATIONAL ELECTIONS

Kudumbashree Community Development Society (CDS) is a three tiered community based
organisation that has been established for carrying out poverty eradication measures, including that
of the state government. This community organisation includes the base tier of Neighbourhood
Groups (NHGs) that consists of one woman each from each household of a locality, Area
Development Society (ADS) that constitutes the middle tier, and the Community Development
Society (CDS), the apex tier. 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
contribute in developing democratic values and skills among the community which will be an asset
for the better functioning of the local government bodies. As per Kudumbashree CDS bylaw,

24
elections for the Kudumbashree Executive Committee would be held once in three years.
Guidelines for the conduct of the elections have been framed with the following objectives:
 Conduct elections at appropriate times in three phases, towards constituting the Executive
Committees and appointment of office bearers of the community based organizations, as
per provisions laid down under section 12 Kudumbashree CDS bylaw
 Institute a neutral mechanism for conduct of free, fair and transparent elections.
 Evolve a unified procedure for the conduct of elections for Kudumbashree CDS
organisations across the State.
 Evolve a democratic election process that would ensure the adherence to organisational
discipline and norms.
2.9.1 KUDUMBASHREE DISRICT ELECTION OFFICER: A district level officer that the
District Collector deputes as per provisions included in the CDS Bylaw.
2.9.2 CDS RETURNING OFFICER: An officer designated by the District Collector as per
recommendation from the District Election Officer in order to hold responsibility for the conduct
of elections of a CDS three tier organisations in its entirety.
2.9.3 CDS ASSISTANT RETURNING OFFICER: An officer from within a CDS operational
area designated by the District Collector as per the recommendation from the District Election
Officer, in order to assist the CDS Returning Officer in the discharge of his/her responsibilities.
2.9.4 ADS ELECTION OFFICER: An officer deputed by the CDS Returning Officer as an
observer of elections to one or more ADS.
2.9.5 NHG ELECTION PRESIDING MEMBER: A member from within the NHGs themselves,
who has been chosen and trained to function as an election presiding member for elections to the
NHGs.

2.10 ELECTION PHASES

2.10.1 FIRST PHASE: KUDUMBASHREE NHG ELECTION PROCESS
In the first phase, Kudumbashree NHGs election meetings should be held. The general body
election proceedings should commence under the leadership of NHG election presiding member
who has been trained in each NHG. 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

25
work namely (a) health and education, (b) income generation and (c) infrastructure and related
issues. Each NHG should themselves decide on the venue, date and time of their election meeting.
2.10.2 SECOND PHASE: KUDUMBASHREE ADS ELECTION PROCESS
The ADS constitutes 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 seven members including a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and a
Secretary, all elected by the General Body. In the second phase, ADS election meetings should be
held, seven members Executive Committee elected, and the Executive Committee should convene
separate meeting to elect the official functionaries namely ADS Chairperson, ADS Vice-
chairperson and ADS Secretary. The venue, date and time of each ADS election meetings should
be decided by the CDS Returning Officer and communicated to the NHG officials. The elected
members of the NHG should be informed about the venue, date and time of the election meeting of
the ADS to which they belong, by the NHG election presiding member. The elected members
should acknowledge receipt of communication regarding ADS election meeting and the same
should be recorded in the minute’s book.
The general body of the ADS will also elect two internal auditors, who are not ADS Executive
Committee members.
2.10.3 THIRD PHASE: KUDUMBASHREE CDS ELECTION PROCESS
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. During the third phase, CDS election meting
should be held and the CDS Executive committee and official functionaries elected. The Executive
Committee elects two office bearers for the positions of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of
which one should be from the BPL households. The general body of the CDS will also elect two
internal auditors, who are not CDS Executive Committee members, In addition, women members
from the Panchayat/Municipality 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 venue, date and time of the CDS election meeting should be informed to the CDS general
body members. At the end of the ADS election meeting, the seven members Executive Committee
of the ADS that become members of the CDS general body should be informed of the venue, date
and time of the CDS election meeting of the CDS that they belong to, by the ADS Election
26
Officer. The designated ADS Executive Committee members should acknowledge the receipt of
the communication and the same should be recorded in the ADS minutes book.
One position between NHG President/Secretary should be reserved compulsorily for a BPL
representative. However in case of NHGs without BPL representation, both positions may be
occupied by APL members. Between the ADS Chairperson and Secretary, one position should be
reserved for a BPL representative of the Executive Committee. Between the CDS Chairperson and
Vice-Chairperson too, one position should be reserved for a BPL representative of the Executive
Committee. A minimum of 50% representation of BPL members should be ensured for ADS and
CDS Executive Committee. There is also provision for proportionate representation of SC/ST
members in the NHG, ADS and CDS Committees.

2.11 TRAINING
The Kudumbashree network of community organizations now covers about half of the total
families in the State. In addressing issues of poverty from multiple angles, the efforts of
Kudumbashree are focused in three key areas – economic empowerment, social empowerment and
gender empowerment. Capacity building of stakeholders is a very important part of these efforts.
Kudumbashree’s training programmes are pro-active, and are aimed at being more than mere
knowledge or information delivery. Training programmes are seen as opportunities to engage with
the stakeholders, help them understand and assimilate organizational priorities, and at the same
time, give feedback from the grassroots.

2.12 MECHANISM
Institutional tie-ups have been made with established training agencies. Services of
Kudumbashree’s training enterprises are utilized for conducting training programmes. Pools of
resource persons have been developed at different tiers, with specific orientation to deal with
capacity building at their respective levels.

2.13 ORGANISATION STRUCTURE

Kudumbashree was conceived as a joint programme of the Government of Kerala and NABARD
implemented through Community Development Societies (CDSs) of Poor Women, serving as the
community wing of Local Governments.

27
Kudumbashree is formally registered as the "State Poverty Eradication Mission" (SPEM), a society
registered under the Travancore Kochi Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies Act 1955. It
has a Governing Body chaired by the state minister of LSG and an Executive Committee chaired
by Principal Secretary, Department of Local Self Government. Governance of the Mission is done
by the Governing Body and Executive Committee. The Governing Body takes policy level
decisions and reviews performance of the Mission on a regular basis. While the executive
directions for scheme formulation and execution are taken in the Executive Committee.
The Mission has a State Mission Office located at Thiruvananthapuram and 14 District Mission
Teams, each located at the district headquarters. This official structure supports and facilitates the
activities of the community network across the state.

28
2.14 STATE MISSION
The State Poverty Eradication Mission registered under the Travancore Cochin Literature, Science
and Charitable Organisations Act, the 12th Act of 1952, and organised at the state level by the
State Government under the Department of Local Self Government. The Management and
Administration of the Mission is carried out by The Governing Body and The Executive
Committee. The District Missions are responsible for the implementation of the Mission's
programmes within their respective districts. Executive Director is the Chief Executive Officer of
the Mission. The Head Quarters of the Mission (State Poverty Eradication Mission) is functioning
in the TRIDA Rehabilitation Building, 2nd floor, Medical College P.O., Thiruvananthapuram.

2.15 GOVERNING BODY

The Governing Body of Kudumbashree Mission was reconstituted under the chairmanship of
Hon’ble Minister for Local Self Governments, Welfare of Minorities, Wakf and Haj Pilgrimage as
per G.O.(MS)No.151/2016/LSGD dated 27-10-2016. The Governing Body is concerned with the
policy formulation and review of Kudumbashree.

2.15.1 MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BODY

Minister for Local Self Government, Government of Kerala - Chairman; Principal Secretary,
Department of Local Self Government - Vice Chairman; Representatives of Mayors, Municipal
Chairpersons, District Panchayat Presidents, Block Panchayat Presidents, Gram Panchayat
Presidents; District Collectors; Secretaries to Government of Kerala (Finance, Local Self
Government, Social Welfare, SC&ST Welfare, Health & Family Welfare, General Education;
Directors of Panchayat and Urban Affairs; Member Secretary, State Planning Board; CGM,
NABARD; Chairperson, State Women’s Commission; 2 nominees of the State Government;
Executive Director, Kudumbashree – Member Secretary.
2.15.2 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
As per G.O. (MS) No. 19/2017/LSGD dated 20-01-2017, the Government constituted an Executive
Committee. Executive Committee, under the overall policy framework provided by the Governing
Body looks after scheme formulation and execution.

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2.15.3 MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Chairman - Principal Secretary, Department of Local Self Government; Director of Panchayats;
Representative from Department of Finance; Director, Urban Affairs; Commissioner for Rural
Development; Nominee of the State Government; Executive Director, Kudumbashree - Convenor.

2.16 DISTRICT MISSION

District Missions are the district wing of the State Poverty Eradication Mission. The state mission
has field officers in each district across Kerala. District Mission Coordinators head the District
Missions; there are Assistant Mission Coordinators under them looking after different thematic
areas. This official structure is incorporated to support and facilitate seamless functioning of the
activities of community network across the state.

2.17 ORGANISATION AND MICRO FINANCE

2.17.1 ORGANISATION STRENGTHENING

Kudumbashree, poverty eradication mission of the state of Kerala works with 43 lakhs women
who are organised into 2.7 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 honor, 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 organization structure
of the poor. The Community Based Organization (CBO) of poor set up by the Mission under the
leadership of Local self Governments play vital role in eradication of absolute poverty. The
organization of poor built up by the Mission give them an opportunity to realize the causes of
30
poverty, different variables of poverty and the magnitude of poverty. It enables them to identify
their entitlements and utilize the common platform to achieve it together. The Community Based
Organization, which encompasses all sections of poor, is organized in to a three-tier structure ie,
NHG, ADS and CDS.
2.17.2 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
sensitized 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.
2.17.3 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 mobilization
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 process. Capacitisation training and financial assistance also would be
provided to these special NHGs.
2.17.4 ADMINSTRATIVE GRANT FOR CDS
Kudumbashree CDS has been managing out 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 mobilization capacity of Kudumbashree community
network. Besides these, CDS has to Co-ordinate functions and activities of Kudumbashree NHGs,
31
ADS, Thrift and credit programmes, bank linkage, Local Economic Development (LED)
Programmes, etc. The CDSs have to become vibrant and economically viable organizations so 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 3,775/- to
4,425/- by way of Administrative Grant.
2.17.5 HONORARIUM TO CDS CHAIRPERSONS
CDS has a vibrant role in the grass root level for implementing various activities. Under
Kudumbashree System 1,064 CDS Chairpersons has working. Considering their duties and
responsibilities and the time and energy needed to carry them out, Kudumbashree Mission granted
a Monthly Honorarium of Rs. 6,000 per month to each CDS Chairperson.
2.17.6 ACCOUNTANT SUPPORT TO CDS
Kudumbashree Mission has positioned CDS Accountant on contract basis at a Salary of Rs 15,000
per month in 1065 CDSs and 14 district mission offices for supporting CDS and District Mission
office on their day to day functioning.
2.17.7 CDS ACTION PLAN
Kudumbashree CDS has to prepare and implement a 'CDS Action Plan'. This is a demand plan,
consolidating the status of interventions in the areas of microfinance, entrepreneurship, farming,
social development activities etc. and indicating quantum of need in each of these areas. The CDS
Action plan is to be integrated with the development plans of the local self governments.
2.17.8 KUDUMBASHREEBANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
Kudumbashree Anniversary celebrations will be conducted every year at different levels by the
members of Kudumbashree community organization network and local self governments across
the district. This will be an opportunity for the Kudumbashree network of community
organizations to take stock of past experiences, celebrate achievements and plan the future course
of action. The anniversary celebrations will also give the women an opportunity to express their
innate talents in cultural activities.
2.17.9 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 contribute in developing
democratic values and skills among the community which will be an asset for the better
32
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 constitutes 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 seven
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. In
financial year 2017-18, the fifth CBO election was held successfully.

2.18 TRAINING PROGRAMS

Capacity building is an ongoing process where the Mission capacitates all its stakeholders for its
sustainability in the long run. The Mission fulfills this objective by providing necessary
handholding support in the form of trainings and providing required resources to its various stake
holders. As the Mission’s activities are varied, the type of trainings offered and services its renders
too varies. The three tier organizational system of the Kudumbashree network, the three tier LSGs
and the Community Institution Management system involved in various trainings of
Kudumbashree network and the Kudumbashree entrepreneurs are capacitated at different levels as
per the requirements. In short, the capacity building programmes of Kudumbashree comprises of
four elements viz, Organizational Development, Strengthening of Community Based
Organizations, Strengthening of Community Supporting Groups and Livelihood Management.
Kudumbashree over the years recognized that the ownership of the community in all the
Kudumbashree programmes only would yield result and therefore development of community

33
institution managements in the form of training groups for different purposes in addition to the
recognized government and non government organizations has become alive. These Community
Training Groups of the Mission takes the form of KAASS, the Accounting and Auditing team of
the Kudumbashree network, EKSAT for conducting Entrepreneurship development to motivation,
MECs, the master trainers for Kudumbashree livelihood development programmes and specialized
training groups like AIFRHM, that would cater the requirements of special livelihood
programmes. Main advantage of this kind of training is that mostly trainers are from
Kudumbashree’s own group. Kudumbashree members turned trainers are taking class for others. In
that way we could reduce the gap between training team and the ultimate beneficiaries and people
show more interest to take part in that training.
Kudumbashree is also utilizing the service of other reputed institutions/agencies like IRMA, IIM
Kozhikode, IMG, KILA etc for training community as well as Kudumbashree Mission officials.
After consulting with the selected institution/agency, the module, training fee and other details will
be decided.

2.19 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM

Management Information System, or MIS, is a computer-based system that provides the right
information to the right person in the right format at the right time. Information is collected within
the organization on an ongoing basis and MIS processes this information, so programme managers
get the summarized reports. The emphasis is on making routine decisions. MIS relies mostly on
internal sources of information.
MIS reports can be in the form of tables with numerical values or other key indicators. Reports can
be in paper format, electronic format or both. More sophisticated systems use electronic reports
that can be updated on demand in close to real-time. This gives managers an updated snapshot of
the current state of operations. For example, MIS could provide a programme manager with real-
time information on project records.
The Management Information System of Kudumbashree Mission which was launched in 2011 and
is now being used by Community Development Societies, District Missions and State Mission for
monitoring and planning of various programs associated. The data uploaded onto the online MIS
includes personal details of 40 lakh women members of Kudumbashree NHGs, monthly thrift and
credit behavior of 2.58 lakh NHGs, loan particulars of all live loans in all branches of all banks

34
where there are Kudumbashree accounts, details of all farming groups, micro enterprises,
Balasabhas as well as particulars of Ashraya families and the benefits accruing to them. In a sense
it would provide a record of actual benefits accruing to the poor through Kudumbashree. This data
is regularly updated – in the case of thrift and credit, on a monthly basis. Reports generated from
the database enable monitoring and evaluation of Kudumbashree activities up to the ward level.

2.20 MICRO FINANCE

Kudumbashree with its core mission to wipeout absolute poverty through women empowerment
has indeed touched many lives through its integrated, comprehensive approach. Thousands of the
poor and the marginalized population are building their lives, their families and their society
through these neighborhood groups.

The financial empowerment of women in Kerala through the focused initiative of Kudumbashree
has gone long way drawing even International recognition. Since inception Microfinance has been
the basic thrust of Kudumbashree to address poverty. It has been proved without doubt that
microfinance is the effective tool for development and contributed to the women and economic
development of the society to a great extent.

2.21 LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

2.21.1 MICRO ENTERPRISE:
Micro Enterprise promotion and development is one of the significant strategies of Kudumbashree
Mission to facilitate economic empowerment of the poor. The Mission developed specific
strategies analyzing the requirements of enterprises. This constitutes trainings, partial financial
support marketing support and hand holding support to the enterprises. These kinds of supports are
applicable for both existing micro enterprises and new ones.
The Mission gives priority on the concept of Local Economic Development (LED) – local
production, catering to local consumption to increase the economic activity within the local areas
for micro enterprise development. In order to facilitate this concept we ensure the involvement of
the community and LSGs to analyze the market demand and the development of products and
services accordingly.

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2.21.2 FARM ACTIVITIES:
Collective Farming is an initiative introduced by Kudumbashree to encourage cultivation among
neighborhood groups. It not only brings in significant changes in the lives of the poor but also
helps to increase agricultural production by bringing fallow and cultivable waste land into
agricultural use, and has significance as a food security measure. Women enter the programme as
cultivators as opposed to agricultural labour and control over the means of production and access
to formal credit help in increasing the returns from farming. The programme is being implemented
in all districts with the support of LSGs.
2.21.3 MARKETING INITIATIVES:
The principal objectives of Kudumbashree are a)Identification of poor families, b) Organizing
women from poor families into NHGs (Ayalkkoottams), c) Encouraging thrift and investment
through credit by developing informal banks of the poor, and most importantly, d) Improving
incomes of the poor through developing vocational and entrepreneurial skills and by creating
opportunities for self/wage employment.
2.21.4 MICRO ENTERPRISES DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING:
Micro Enterprises Development is an important strategy of Kudumbashree towards economic
empowerment of women. All members of Kudumbashree are encouraged to start ‘Micro
Enterprises’ using local recourses, and financial aid, skill training, handholding and marketing
support provided by the Mission. Today, there are around 30,000 Micro Enterprises (including
Animal Husbandry &Agri related livelihood groups), around 50,000 Joint Liability Groups
(Farming), more than 60 Construction Units and 8 Producer
Companies/Consortiums(Agri/AH/Dairy/Apparel/Nutrimix/IT). The Micro Enterprises include a)
Service Providers to Govt. Departments. / Public, b) Suppliers to Govt. Departments/ Public, c)
Production / Service Enterprises addressing social needs or grabbing new opportunities, d) Social
Start Ups and e) Traditional women enterprises
Importance of designing appropriate marketing strategies from time to time for the success of
Micro Enterprises needs no emphasis. Currently, around 75% of the products are sold directly to
the customers through Monthly Markets, Trade Fairs & Exhibitions,Home Shops and/or at the
production point itself. Around 10% of products are sold to retail dealers while a little less than
10% of products are sold to Government Departments/Agencies. The remaining percent of
products are sold through marketing agencies and to retailers/wholesale dealers.

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2.22 WOMEN EMPOWERMENT
2.22.1 GENDER PROGRAMS

Kudumbashree gender focused programmes aims to ensure that all development efforts take into
account the experiences, needs, and contribution of women by removing structural barriers. The
program attempted to create awareness among the women as well as sensitized the society around.
It focuses in promoting women’s participation in the decisions that affect their lives, eradicate
poverty and inequality, prevent the exploitations against them and sustainable development can be
achieved. Also the programmes aim to focus on creating women friendly NHG areas and living
situations to ensure women empowerment to achieve full citizenship.

2.22.1(A) RELEVANCE OF THE PROGRAMME

 Helps to Recognizing the need to transform collectives from income generation groups to that
of knowledge-sharing-creation- management groups.
 Advantage for utilizing opportunities by tactical approach.
 Enhancing capacity to share and manage different dimensions of social life.
 Consolidation of rich life experiences for understanding self.
 Attempt to encourage strategic discussions in the NHG on gender issues touching the lives of
poor women.
 Need for evolving small learning groups beyond the formal structures in quest for effective
interventions on bringing in equality and justice.
2.22.1(B) OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME
 Convey the messages of women’s status, rights, equality and justice
 Enhance the platform for participation in local development
 Initiate women to have access and control over assets
 Equip women against domestic violence and to strengthen the network beyond collectivization.
 To form a community level resolving mechanism to prevent and address atrocities against
women and children
 To ensure the participation of women in social and cultural space.

37
2.23 STATE GENDER RESOURCE CENTRE
Kudumbashree, the Kerala State poverty eradication mission has started working since 1998 and
addressing the three levels of empowerment of women in the states – Economic Empowerment,
Social Empowerment and Women’s empowerment. Kudumbashree is essentially a community
network of Neighborhood Groups and its federations that covers the entire State of Kerala. It
consists of a three-tier structure with Neighborhood Groups (NHGs) as primary level units, Area
Development Societies (ADS) at the ward level, and Community Development Societies (CDS) at
the local government level. As on today the Kudumbashree network have 2,77,175 NHGs
affiliated to 19,854 ADSs and 1073 CDSs with a total membership of 43,06,976 women.
Kudumbashree membership is open to all adult women, limited to one membership per family.
Women play a vital role in the development and sustenance of society at large. On account of the
traditional patriarchy followed since time immemorial, often their contribution is not accounted
and valued. With the changing times, the status of women both in the oriental world as well as in
the occidental world has changed. Along with equality, and empowerment, today’s woman has
also to tackle new challenges and shoulder responsibilities manifold specifically in the context of
developing nations. Unlike other poverty’s alleviation programmes, Kudumbashree has a multi-
pronged design and strategies that empower women in socially, economically and politically.
Further, the three-tier federated community structure adds to its authenticity, accountability and
commitment towards the poor and marginalized. Kudumbashree recognizes that capacitating
women to understand and exercise their rights is a basic requirement for the success and
sustainability of any poverty eradication programme. Kudumbashree has attempted to bring every
poor woman in the state to federations of NHGs and capacitate them to address the issues of
women by enhancing or improving female work participation, health and nutritional status,
participation in decision making, local governance and their role in planning in addition to make
them as local entrepreneurs for finding their livelihoods.
Kudumbashree is further play an active role in bringing women in to local governance. The
participation of Kudumbashree members in Gram Sabhas and development works of GPs
providing them the space for involving in local governance. This participation is giving
opportunity for them to involve as a
community interface for local economic development lead by GPs in the areas of social
infrastructure development, welfare programmes based on rights and entitlements, employment

38
generation, from food security, health insurance, housing, enterprise development, MGNREGS
and Jagratha Samiti for enduring the safety and protection of women. Convergence with Panchayat
Raj Institutions (PRIs) has been one of the central themes within the Kudumbashree idea.
Convergence means seamless working together of the Kudumbashree and the PRIs; it includes
institutional and programmatic convergence as well as sharing of resources.
Major intervention done by Kudumbashree in last 5 years are:
a) Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) added to
the strengthening of ADS. ADS representatives were to be the ‘Mates’ for scheme
implementation. Close to two lakh women were trained to work as ‘Mates’ in MGNREGS.
This started emerging as a cadre developing knowledge on identification and estimation of
works, and in work supervision. MGNREGS and its link with collective farming lead to
the rejuvenation of the entire structure, and it benefited ADS the most.
b) Gender self-learning Programme : Kudumbashree devised a special project called the
Gender Self Learning Programme (GSLP) that directly caters to women’s empowerment.
The programme recognizes the necessity of understanding the importance of “self
learning” and using it to take advantage of the innate potential of women. The GSLP
reinterprets the concept of learning by positioning women in multiple roles such as
participants, information providers and knowledge creators
2.23.1 PLAN OF ACTION – STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
 Setting up of Gender Resource Centres at State, district and Panchayat level
 Develop a team of women cadres and professionals
 Selection of Gender Resource Persons(10 CRPs in each GP and a point person from the
community)
 Capacitating and skill development of Gender Resource Persons
 Provide Certification course to the selected CRPs.

 Facilitation of vulnerability mapping and training to prepare projects & programmes under
WCP which address the Strategic and Practical gender needs.
 Act as a nodal point to support the survivors of victims of violence – Counselling, legal,
provide different entitlements.

39
  The Centre will also impart gender education for which material and training capacity will
be developed.
Through Gender Resource Centre Kudumbashree emphasizes to address the women’s inequality
manifests itself in many forms such as gender discrimination in terms of declining male-female sex
ratio, Social stereotyping, Gender based violence, health and nutritional status, limited access to
resources, etc. Also aims to work for holistic empowerment of women in the state cutting across
sectors and to serve as a nodal agency for all gender related initiatives in the state and in the
community. GRC attempts to develop and make available the resources at a single place to share
them across organizations in order to make their efforts in the sector more streamlined, efficient
and effective. It can be act as a centre for making Poverty free Panchayaths in Kerala through
various interventions.

2.24 SNEHITHA NETWORK

Snehitha is a 24 hours working gender help desk. It works to avail support and help to the shield
less women in society. The main aim of the center is to provide help and support to those women
and children who are in distress and provide voice for their issues and concerns, also to prevent,
protect and prevail over domestic violence through advocacy, empowerment and social change.
Snehitha also looks to enhance the socio-economic status of young, underprivileged women by
empowering them with self-confidence and the required skills to enable them to become
independent and contribute to family and society. Snehitha facilitating the women in distress to
access the service of other institutional agency (legal service authority, police department, CWC,
NGO's etc.) to address the issues. Snehitha provides immediate help, shelter, counseling,
motivation and legal assistance to the victim of violence. Women and children are availing shelter
as well. Snehitha is working on the principle of convergence, which is followed by a close
interface and collaboration with the
service providers and counselors. In 2013 Snehitha gender helpdesk have been started in three
districts namely Malappuram, Ernakulam and Trivandrum. Later on in 2015 it was started in three
more district called Wayanad, Palakkad and Idukki. Till September 2017 total 8267 cases has been
reported to all these six Snehitha, among this 3240 were direct case and 4992 were reported over
telephone. From September/October 2017 Snehitha has been started in all fourteen District of

40
Kerala. Snehitha consist 11 staffs and all of them are women. There are 2 counselors, 5 service
providers, 1 office assistant, 2 securities and one care taker in Snehitha.
2.24.1 SERVICES OF SNEHITHA
 24 hrs working gender help desk.

 Short stay home for women and children who are facing atrocities and violence.

 Short stay for those women who are traveling alone in night.

 Family, individual, adolescent and premarital counseling.

 Awareness campaigns.

 Legal and medical assistance.

 24 hrs Tele counseling

 Rehabilitation through the convergence with other departments and NGO’s

2.25 STHREESAKTHI DISCUSSION FORUM

Developed with the support of the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) and
the Department of Information Technology, Government of India, the Sthreesakthi web
portal has been put up to help make the GSLP a productive and successful initiative. This portal
provides a useful venue for discussing issues and ideas, creating modules, collating programme
reports, clearing doubts, and, most importantly, helping women become computer and technology
savvy.
Specific to Gender Self Learning Programme, the Sreesakthi portal enables the learning process to
enter a higher plane. Complete learning module development process would be web based. Active
threads in discussion forum are “Inclusion of Women in Political Parties of India", Freedom to
Mobility" Relevance of Nirbhaya in Kerala Society - Module feedback, learning experience,
changes, interventions etc ". Web portal participation by CDS varies district by district. We have to
develop a new team for web portal navigation. The team should include gender resource persons,
CDS members ADS members-NHG level. For the same, we have to conduct different level of
trainings. CDS level portal training is almost completed in districts.

41
 CHAPTER 3
DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

42
3.1 AGE WISE CLASSIFICATION
Kudumbashree members belongs to different age groups which is shown in table 3.1

Table 3.1 showing Age wise classification

Age (Years) No: of respondents Percentage

18-27 1 2
28-38 10 20
39-49 18 36
Above 50 21 42
Total 50 100
Source: Primary Data

Figure 3.1 showing Age wise classification

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

0
18-27 28-38 39-49 Above 50

Inference
The above table and figure shows that 2% of respondents belongs to age group between 18-27
years,20% of respondents belongs to age group 28-38 years,36% of respondents belongs to age
group 39-49 years, and 42% of respondents belongs to age above 50 years.

Interpretation
From the above study, we analyse that women who are interested in Kudumbashree activities are
of age above 50.

43
3.2 POSITION OF THE RESPONDENTS
The following table shows the position of the respondents in the Kudumbashree unit

Table 3.2 showing Position of the respondents

Position No: of respondents Percentage

President 3 6
Secretary 3 6
Volunteer 9 18
Member 35 70
Total 50 100
Source: Primary Data

Figure 3.2 showing Position of the respondents

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
President Secretary Volunteer Member

Inference
The above table and graph shows that 6% of the respondents are Presidents of units, 6% are
Secretary, 18% are Volunteers, and 70% are members of the units.

Interpretation
It was found that majority of the respondents are members.

44
3.3 PURPOSE OF BECOMING THE MEMBER OF
KUDUMBASHREE
Table 3.3 showing Purpose of becoming the member

Purpose No: of respondents Percentage

To earn a living 10 20
For the development of 36 72
family
Others 4 8
Total 50 100
Source: Primary Data

Figure 3.3 showing Purpose of becoming the member

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
To earn a living For the development of Others
family

Inference
The above study reveals that 8% of the respondents joined Kudumbashree for other purposes, 20%
to earn a living, 72% for the development of family.

Interpretation
45
We can interpret that majority joined Kudumbashree for the development of their family. Thus it is
beneficial for the members to develop their family.

3.4 EMPLOYMENT STATUS BEFORE JOINING

KUDUMBASHREE
Table 3.4 showing Employment status

Employment status No: of respondents Percentage

Yes 6 12
No 44 88
Total 50 100
Source: Primary Data

Figure 3.4 showing Employment status

90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Yes No

Inference
The above table and figure shows that only 12% of the respondents were employed before joining
Kudumbashree units and 88% were not employed.

Interpretation

46
What we could infer that majority of the respondents were not employed before joining
Kudumbashree unit.

3.5 INCOME OF THE RESPONDENTS BEFORE JOINING

KUDUMBASHREE UNIT
Table 3.5 showing Income Status of the respondents

Income status No: of respondents Percentage

Nothing 11 22
Less than 1000 30 60
1000-3000 5 10
More than 3000 4 8
Total 50 100
Source: Primary Data

Figure 3.5 showing Income Status of the respondents

Nothing
Less than 1000
1000-3000
More than 3000

Inference
Out of 50 respondents only 8% earn 3000 before joining kudumbashree units, 10% falls between
1000 to3000, 22% earn nothing and 60% belongs to the income status less than 1000.

Interpretation
47
It reveals that majority of the respondents of Kudumbashree units were having income less than
1000 from their small day to day activities like selling eggs, milk etc.

3.6 INTERNAL LOAN FROM KUDUMBASHREE

Table 3.6 showing Internal Loan

Internal loan No: of respondents Percentage

Yes 44 88
No 6 12
Total 50 100
Source: Primary Data

Figure 3.6 showing Internal Loan

90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Yes No

Inference
12% of the respondents were not availing internal loans from Kudumbashree unit and 88% of the
respondents have taken internal loans.

Interpretation
It states that majority of the respondents avail internal loan from Kudumbashree for empowering
themselves.

48
3.7 TRAINING PROGRAMS
Table 3.7 showing Training Programs

Training No: of respondents Percentage

Yes 38 76
No 12 24
Total 50 100
Source: Primary Data

Figure 3.7 showing Training Programs

80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Yes No

Inference
Out of 50 respondents, 24% had not undergone any training programs and 76% of the respondents
had undergone through training programs provided by Kudumbashree.

Interpretation
It was found that majority of the respondents had undergone training programs provided by
Kudumbashree.

49
3.8 IS MICROFINANCE BENEFITED OR NOT
Table 3.8 showing Is Micro Finance benefited or not

Beneficial No: of respondents Percentage

Yes 43 86
No 7 14
Total 50 100
Source: Primary Data

Figure 3.8 showing Is Micro Finance benefited or not

Yes
No

Inference
From the sample, only 14% of the respondents were not benefited and 86% were benefited through
the scheme.

Interpretation
What we could understand that majority of the respondents are benefited through the microfinance
provided by the Kudumbashree. From this we can analyse the performance and success of the
scheme.

50
3.9 LIVELIHOOD OF THE RESPONDENTS
Table 3.9 showing Livelihood of the respondents

Activities No: of respondents Percentage

Business 30 60
Agricultural 11 22
Poultry Farming 4 8
Others 5 10
Total 50 100
Source: Primary Data

Figure 3.9 showing Livelihood of the respondents

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
Business Agricultural Poultry Farming Others

Inference
8% of the respondents find their livelihood from poultry farming, 10% through other activities,
22% from agricultural activities and 60% through business.

Interpretation
The above study reveals that majority of the respondents are engaged in business activities such as
jewellery making, tailoring, lottery business, etc.

51
3.10 SATISFACTION OF THE RESPONDENTS BY THE SCHEME
PROVIDED BY KUDUMBASHREE
Table 3.10 showing Satisfaction of the respondents

Satisfaction No: of respondents Percentage

Yes 47 94
No 3 6
Total 50 100
Source: Primary Data

Figure 3.10 showing Satisfaction of the respondents

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Yes No

Inference
From the sample of 50 respondents, only 6 % were not satisfied and 94% of the respondents were
satisfied by the scheme.

Interpretation
We can interpret that majority of the respondents are satisfied with the scheme provided by the
Kudumbashree.

52
3.11 MONTHLY INCOME STATUS OF THE RESPONDENTS
Table 3.11 showing Income Level

Income level No: of respondents Percentage

Nothing NIL NIL
Less than 1000 29 58
1000-5000 21 42
Above 5000 NIL NIL
Total 50 100
Source: Primary Data

Figure 3.11 showing Income Level

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
Nothing Less than 1000 1000-5000 Above 5000

Inference
Out of 50 respondents, there were no respondents who had no income and income above 5000,
42% falls between 1000 – 5000 and 58% of the respondents belong to the income level less than
1000.

Interpretation
The study found that the respondents are earning a stable income than they had earned before
joining the Kudumbashree. This helps them to increase their standard of living.

53
3.12 PAYMENT OF EMI
Table 3.12 showing Payment of installments

Payments No: of respondents Percentage

Yes 41 82
No 9 14
Total 50 100
Source: Primary Data

Figure 3.12 showing Payments of installments

90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Yes No

Inference
14% of the respondents were not able pay installments correctly and 84% were able to pay it.

Interpretation
We can interpret from the inference that majority of the respondents are able to repay the EMI
regularly by getting a stable income.

54
3.13 SAVINGS AT THE END OF THE LAST YEAR
Table 3.13 showing Savings

Savings No: of respondents Percentage

More than 5000 18 36
2000-5000 18 36
Below 2000 13 26
Nothing 1 2
Total 50 100
Source: Primary Data

Figure 3.13 showing Savings

More than 5000

2000-5000
L ess than 2000
Nothing

Inference
Out of 50 respondents, only 2% of the respondents were having no savings, 26% had below 2000
and 36% were having savings between 2000 – 5000 and above.

Interpretation
The study states that income generating activities started by Kudumbashree members lead to
increase in their income and there by increased their savings also.

55
3.14 MONTHLY SAVINGS
Table 3.14 showing Monthly Savings

Amount of savings No: of respondents Percentage

More than 500 10 20
100-500 40 80
Less than100 0 0
Nothing 0 0
Total 50 100
Source: Primary Data

Figure 3.14 showing Monthly Savings

80

60

40
20
0
More than 500
100-500
Less than 100
Nothing

Inference
There were no respondents who had no savings and less than 100. 20% had more than 500 and
80% had savings between 100 - 500.

Interpretation
The study found that most of the respondents have savings in each month.

56
3.15 REINVESTMENT OF SAVINGS
Table 3.15 showing Reinvestment of Savings

Reinvestment No: of respondents Percentage

Yes 46 92
No 4 8
Total 50 100
Source: Primary Data

Figure 3.15 showing Reinvestment of savings

Yes
No

Inference
The above table and figure reveals that only 8% of the respondents were not able to reinvest their
savings in other activities and 92% were able to reinvest.

Interpretation
It was found that most of the respondents are able to reinvest their savings for productive purposes
like to innovate, upgrade, expand their business activities.

57
3.16 STANDARD OF LIVING OF THE RESPONDENTS
Table 3.16 showing Standard of living

Standard of living No: of respondents Percentage

Yes 46 92
No 8 8
Total 50 100
Source: Primary Data

Figure 3.16 showing Standard of living

100
80
60
40
20
0
Percentage
Yes
No

Inference
From the sample, only 8% of the respondents were not able to improve their standard of living and
92% were able to improve it.

Interpretation
It reveals that the standard of living of the respondents had increased after joining Kudumbashree
unit. Hence, it reduces the poverty in the society.

58
3.17 IS IT BENEFICIAL FOR SELF SURVIVAL OF THE
RESPONDENTS
Table 3.17 showing Self Survival

Self Survival No: of respondents Percentage

Highly Beneficial 14 28
Beneficial 28 56
Less Beneficial 4 8
Not Beneficial 4 8
Total 50 100
Source: Primary Data

Figure 3.17 showing Self Survival

60

40

20

0
Highly
beneficial Beneficial
Less beneficial
Not beneficial

Inference
From the above study about the beneficiality of the scheme, 8% of the respondents were less
beneficial and not beneficial, 28% were highly beneficial and 56% of the respondents were
beneficial.

Interpretation
We can interpret that the microfinance loan provided by Kudumbashree is beneficial. Thereby, the
scheme helps to empower women.

59
 CHAPTER 4
FINDINGS, SUGGESTIONS AND CONCLUSION

60
4.1 FINDINGS

The major findings of the study are slated below:

 Majority of the respondents are above age 50 years.

 Most of the respondents are members of Kudumbashree units.
 The scheme provided by Kudumbashree is beneficial for the development of their family.
 They were not employed before joining Kudumbashree unit.
 The income of the respondents before joining Kudumbashree unit is less than 1000.
 Majority of the members are using internal loans provided by Kudumbashree units.
 Majority of the respondents had undergone different training programs.
 Majority of the respondents are benefited through the scheme. Thus it reveals that it helps
to empower women.
 Majority of the respondents are availing internal loans for carrying out their business
activities.
 Majority of the respondents are satisfied by scheme. This reveals the performance of the
project provided by Kudumbashree.
 Through this scheme they are able to earn a stable monthly income.
 By earning stable income they are able to repay EMI regularly.
 Yearly savings of the respondents had increased through the project provided by
Kudumbashree , it helps to enhance their economic stability.
 Through productive activities respondents have savings in each month.
 By enhancement of economic stability they are able to reinvest their savings for productive
purposes.
 Standard of living of the respondents had also developed.
 The scheme provided is beneficial to majority for their self survival.

4.2 SUGGESTIONS

From the analysis following suggestions can be made to improve the performance of project
provided by Kudumbashree unit to empower women.
61
  It is suggested to involve more youngsters into the Kudumbashree units. Thus it will help
them to generate more ideas for increasing the performance of Kudumbashree.
 It is suggested to provide internal loans to the right person at right time in a right manner.
 Awareness programs should be provided to the people to acquire more knowledge about
the scheme.
 Provide timely loans to acquire necessities.
 And it is also suggested to provide pension scheme for the members as majority of the
members are above the age 50.
 Provide education loans with lesser interest.
 It is also suggested to provide special financial assistance for widows.
 Provide financial assistance to members to enhance them from their poverty line.
 Reducing the interest rate will be helpful for the poor people.

4.3 CONCLUSION

Women in Kerala no longer remain confined within the four walls of house. They are participating
well in all spheres of activities and have started plunging into industry and are running their
enterprises successfully. Hence, the biggest challenge facing the world is ensuring financial
services reach the unreached sections to provide and impetus to the processes of inclusive
economic growth. Financial inclusion has positive externalities and is a public good.

Microfinance through Kudumbashree has been somewhat successful in that direction.

Empowerment of women was a very broad term in its scope and dimension. Empowering women
is a gradual process rather than sudden outcome of any movement. Interaction within group
members,participation in social awareness programmes and capacity building lead to
empowerment. Moreover,microfinance through Kudumbashree has proved to be an excellent
mechanism for financial intervention in those areas. Microfinance programme made the poor feel
relived from the clutches of moneylenders and save them from exploitation. Thus, the women
empowerment through microfinance helps the women to empower.

62
BIBLIOGRAPHY

63
BIBLIOGRAPHY

REFERENCE BOOKS:

1. Anand.S Jaya – (2002) “Self-Help Groups in Empowering Women: Case Study of Selected
SHG and NHGs”.
2. Malhotra Meenakshi - (2004) “Empowerment of Women” (in 3 volumes).
3. Basu Priya and Srivastava Pradeep - (2005) “Exploring Possibilities-Micro Finance and
Rural Credit Access for the Poor in India”.
4. P. Varman Mahendra - (2005) “Impact of Self Help Group on Formal Banking Habits”.
5. Sriram.M.S – (2005) “Micro Finance and the State, Exploring Areas and Structures of
Collaboration”.
6. Sinha Frances – (2005) “Access, Use and Contribution of Micro Finance in India, Findings
from a National Study”.
7. Nair .S Tara - (2005) “The Transforming World of Indian Micro Finance”.
8. Yunas Muhammad – (2004) “Grameen Bank, Micro Credit and Millennium Development
Goals”.
9. Agarwal Sunil – (2003) “Technology Model for Women’s Empowerment, Reaching the
Unreached”.
10. Kulshrestha .R Laxmi – (2003) “Micro Finance: The New Development Paradigm for
Poor Rural Women”.

REFERENCE SITES:

1. www.kudumbashree.org.in
2. shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in
3. www.iosrjounals.org.in
4. thekudumbashreestory.info

64
APPENDIX

65
 Questionnaire
Respected Sir/Madam,

I would be grateful if you could spare sometime to respond to the following questions, for the
study of our B. Com curriculum. I assure you that the information gathered will be for academic
purpose only.

(Put tick mark in appropriate questions)

1. Name :
2. Age :
 18-27
 28-38
 39-49
 Above 50
3. Name of your kudumbhasree unit:
4. What is your position in your unit ?
 President
 Secretary
 Volunteer
 Member
5. How many group meetings are held in a month?
 4 meetings
 3 meetings
 2 meetings
 Only 1 meeting
6. Will you attend the group meetings regularly?
 Yes
 No
7. What was the purpose for which you became the member of Kudumbhasree unit ?
 To earn a living
 For the development of a family
 Others, Specify:
8. Were you employed when you join the Kudumbhasree unit?
 Yes
 No
9. How much income you had when you become the member of the Kudumbhasree unit?
 Nothing
 Less than 1000 in a month
 1000 to 3000 in a month

66
  More than 3000
10. Do you avail any internal loans from your NHG?
 Yes
 No
11. Have you undergone any training programme?
 Yes
 No
12. At what rate of interest do you get internal loans?
 Depending upon the purpose
 Less than 18%
 18% to 26%
 Others ,Specify:
13. Were you benefited from this micro finance?
 Yes
 No
14. How you earn your livelihood now?
 Business
 Agricultural
 Poultry Farming
 Others , Specify
15. Are you satisfied with the scheme?
 Yes
 No
16. How much income you derive currently in a month?
 Nothing
 Less than 1000
 1000 to 5000
 Above 5000
17. Are you able to pay the amount of EMI regularly from your business?
 Yes
 No
18. What was your quantum of savings at the end of last year?
 More than 5000
 2000 to 5000
 Below 2000
 Nothing
19. How much amount you are able to save each month?
 More than 500
 100 to 500

67
  Less than 100
 Nothing
20. Are you able to reinvest the savings for the productive purposes?
 Yes
 No
21. Do you think that your standard of living had improved?
 Yes
 No
22. Was it beneficial for you to enhance your self survival?
 Highly beneficial
 Beneficial
 Less beneficial
 Not beneficial
23. Do you have any suggestions in this scheme provided by Kudumbhasree unit? If any
mention.

68