Short Communication
Year: 2020 | Month: November | Volume: 7 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 385-391
Kudumbashree Mission and COVID-19: A Success Story from the State of Kerala
Jini Thomas1, Pramitha Prakash2
1Asst. Professor, Dept. of Commerce, Mar Athanasius College, Kothamangalam
2M.Com Student (2016-18 Batch), Mar Athanasius College, Kothamangalam
Corresponding Author: Jini Thomas
ABSTRACT
Background: Economic activities in most of the sectors have adversely affected during the lockdown period. It adversely affected the growth prospects in the key sectors like households, businesses, educational sectors, hospitality, entertainment, recreational amenities, public and private sector engagements, as well as sporting activities all over the world. Rural development usually relates to the method of enhancing the quality of life, financial well-being, development of rural areas to improve the living standards of people in the village economy. As a poverty eradication mission, Kudumbashree has peculiar roots in Kerala’s development history.
Aim: The present study has been undertaken to evaluate the key activities undertaken by Kudumbashree mission in the state of Kerala during the pandemic. 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.
Results: The Government of Kerala together with Kudumbashree Mission has undertaken different activities to face the COVID 19 pandemic. It is understood that the driving force behind the successful implementation of all these activities is the women in Kerala. The main force which stands as a support to all activities is the members of Kudumbashree. The major activities undertaken during this pandemic includes break the chain campaign, Whatsapp Communication, Special care for elderly people, KSFE Kudumbashree Vidhya Shree Scheme, Mask Making and Sanitizer Production, Nutrimix Production, Sahayahastham- Loan Scheme, Community Kitchen, Buds Activities, Balasabha Activities, Agricultural Activities, SannadhaSena, Snehitha Gender Help Desk and Immini Balya Onnu. Kudumbashree Women of Kerala gives a new message to the entire world that if you are willing to empower your women, then they will act as a protecting shield to you, your family and to your nation.
Keywords: Covid-19, Kudumbashree, Information Education and Communication Programme (IEC), Area Development Societies (ADS), Community Development Societies (CDS), Neighbour Hood Groups (NHG), Kerala State Financial Enterprises (KSFE), Take Home Ration (THR), State Poverty Eradication Mission (SPEM).
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