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Abstract: Empowerment of women and their participation in the development process has been considered an
essential feature of development. It is presumed that real development is possible only if the women and men
work in equal terms. Gender equality and empowerment of women is recognized globally as a key element to
achieve progress in all areas. Rural women are regarded as voiceless and defenseless. Raping cases are
appearing in the newspapers every day. Even politicians are not supporting them. So they are to be empowered
to fight against the evils faced by them. Kudumbasree project was started in Kerala in 1998. Women
empowerment is one of the important objectives of Kudumbasree along with poverty eradication. The aim of
the Kudumbashree scheme is to improve the standard of living of poor women in rural areas by setting up
micro-credit and productive enterprises. It opened a new string of expected events in our development history
Kudumbasree is the poverty eradication mission of the state of Kerala. It is a community based self help
initiative involving poor women. Kudumbashree was conceived as a joint programme of the Government of
Kerala and NABARD implemented through Community Development Societies of Poor Women, serving as the
community wing of Local Governments .As per documents associated with Kudumbashree, women want to
identify their inner strength, opportunities for growth and their role in reshaping their own destiny. Thirteen
years are so far covered by this programme. The main objective of this paper is to know to what extend this
programme has influenced the rural women for their empowerment. Kerala is considered as literate state
compared with all the states of our country. The study indicates that majority of the members of Kudumbasree
units are working on daily wages and their total income is low. The women empowerment has achieved only a
limited extend by Kudumbasree members.
Introduction
Development is the mantra of globalization and liberalisation. Women have an important role in the
development process. Empowerment of women and their participation in the development process has been
considered an essential feature of development. It is presumed that real development is possible only if the
women and men work in equal terms. Gender equality and empowerment of women is recognized globally as a
key element to achieve progress in all areas. Jawaharlal Nehru commended “in order to awaken the people, it is
the women who has to be awakened first. Once she is on the move, the household moves, the village moves, the
country moves and thus we build the India tomorrow” 1.
But the present position of women in developing and underdeveloped countries is not considered
good. Rural women are regarded as voiceless and defenseless. Raping cases are appearing in the newspapers
every day. Even politicians are not supporting them. So they are to be empowered to fight against the evils
faced by them. There had been intensive efforts in nineties to bring the women-folk, especially those belonging
to the weaker sections and poor, who had been economically and socially underprivileged within and outside the
family, to the forefront and empower them through specific programmes and thereby empower the entire family
and community. Ensuring justice to women was one of the prime objectives of the development agenda of the
People’s Planning Campaign initiated in 1997. Kudumbashree, a Malayalam coinage, means prosperity of the
family. It is an innovative programme of the Government of Kerala introduced for the eradication of absolute
poverty in ten years through concerted community action under the leadership of local self governments.
Kudumbasree is the poverty eradication mission of the state of Kerala. Kudumbasree project was started in
Kerala in 1998. The programme has 37 lakhs members and covers more than 50% of the households in Kerala2
.
It has built around three vital components, micro credit, entrepreneurship and empowerment. Women
empowerment is one of the important objectives of Kudumbasree along with poverty eradication.
The aim of the Kudumbashree scheme is to improve the standard of living of poor women in rural
areas by setting up micro-credit and productive enterprises. It is a community based self help initiative
involving poor women. 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. The aim of the Kudumbashree scheme is to empower women as a
strategy for Poverty Eradication. Empowerment of women and poor women driving their development is a powerful strategy to alleviate poverty. The Kudumbashree Community based organizations are acting as social
safety nets, increasing access to entitlements and providing avenues for political participation3
.
II. Origin of the Research Problem
Poverty is a serious problem faced by all developing and underdeveloped countries in the modern
world. It is felt that the problem of poverty can be solved through a concentrated endeavor by the State. Viable
opportunities can be provided to the underprivileged and the destitute by means of lending asset creating
facilities. Women households are the cruelest victims of deprivation and destitution. So any poverty eradication
programs must aim at improving the standard of living environment along with empowerment of the
women communities. Livelihood opportunities are to be provided to women. The micro credit and self help
groupings are better sources for improving the standard of living of people. The aim of the
Kudumbashree scheme is to improve the standard of living of poor women in rural areas by setting up microcredit
and productive enterprises. It opened a new string of expected events in development history. As per
documents related to Kudumbashree, women want to identify their inner strength, opportunities for growth and
their role in reshaping their own destiny. Kudumbashree aims at the empowerment of women, giving them the
central place in the programmes meant for their benefit. The programme aims to empower them through
collective action. Gender equality gains (including inclusion of women in education) will help to reduce
fertility rates and improve maternal and child health. This process of empowerment should become the signal
light to their children, their families and society at large4
. Thirteen years are so far covered by this
programme. The researcher is interested to know to what extend this programme has influenced the rural women
for their empowerment.
III. Objectives of the Study
The main objective of the study is to assess whether there is any significant change in empowerment
of rural women through Kudumbasree.
IV. Hypothesis for the Study
1. Kudumbasree makes no significant change in women empowerment.
4.1. Sub Hypothesis
1. There is no significant relationship of between acquisition of personal skills and women empowerment.
2. There is no significant relationship of between Decision Making power and women empowerment
3. There is no significant relationship of between self confidence and women empowerment
4. There is no significant relationship of between knowledge and women empowerment
5. There is no significant relationship of between awareness and women empowerment
V. Methodology and Sources of Data
5.1 .Collection of Data
The influence of Kudumbashree on women is assessed by the field surveys and personal interviews.
Statistical evidences are also drawn from the sources available with the Department of Economics and Statistics
and the Project Directorate of State Poverty Eradication Mission of the Government of Kerala. Micro-units,
under the scheme are surveyed and examined for arriving at conclusions. The study is mainly based on primary
data, and the secondary data is used to supplement and support the primary data. A field survey was carried out
covering rural areas.
5.2. Research Population and Sample
Micro units of Kudumbashree are selected as research population.
5.3. Sampling Design
Five micro units of Kudumbashree of Kozhikode district are selected by random sampling method and
members of the selected units are the respondents. There are twelve block Panchayaths in Kozhikode district
namely Vadakara, Tuneri, Kunnummal, Thodannur, Meladi, Perambra, Balussery, Panthalayani, Chelannor,
Koduvally , Kuuamangalam and Kozhikode . Five micro units are selected on random basis from these block
Panchayaths. It consists of three units of Vadakara- Deepam (Puduppanam), Harisee ( Chorode) and Peruma
(Orkkatteri) units, One unit of Kunnamangalam- Pulari (Mukkam) and one unit of Kunnummal -
Cheriyakappummel (Maruthonkara), Each unit consists of 20 members. So a total of 100 members of 5 units are
taken as sample respondents for the purpose of study.
5.4. Method of Data Collection
All the items shown in the questionnaire is asked to members of the units. They are asked to fill the
questionnaire in August – September 2013. Personal interviews are also conducted with office bearers’ of
Kudumbasree units in the same period. Out of 100 questionnaires served, 90 respondents filled the
questionnaire completely and 10 respondents have not filled certain questions and so they are rejected.
5.5. Data Analysis and Technique
The general information has been analyzed with the help of primary data collected from among the
respondents through structured questionnaires. Likewise, acquisition of personal skills, Decision making power,
self confidence, Knowledge and awareness empowerments of the Kudumbasree members have also been
analyzed on the basis of primary data.
5.6. Scaling Techniques
Scaling technique is used to measure variables related with level of improvement on a three point scale
with a weightage of three, two and one for Greatly Improved, Fairly improved and not improved.
5.7. Tools of Analysis
Statistical techniques like percentage, mean, standard deviation, Z test etc are used for analysis for data.
5.8. Variables used in the Study
The variables used for study related with empowerment of women consist of
1. Personal skills
2. Decision making power
3. Self confidence
4. Knowledge and
5. Awareness.
VI. Operational Definition
6.1. Women Empowerment
In simple terms we can define empowerment is giving power. Power is the key word of the term
empowerment. According to the International Encyclopedia (1999), power means having the capacity and the
means to direct one’s life towards desired social, political and economic goals or status. Power means control
over material assets, intellectual resources and ideology. In Webster’s English Dictionary the verb empower
means to give the means, ability and authority. Empowerment implies a state of mind and attitude of a person. It
is a process through which people or communities increase their control or mastery of their own lives and the
decisions that affect their day-to-day life. Women empowerment is any process that provides greater autonomy
to women through the sharing of relevant information and provision of control over factors affecting their
performance.
5 Empowerment implies a state of mind and attitude of a person. It is a process through which
people or communities increase their control or mastery of their own lives and the decisions that affect their
day-to-day life. Awareness is a necessary part of empowerment. Awareness of rights is required for a person to
develop his capacity of self-control, self-strength and self-reliance and to build freedom of choice and action.
Empowerment is about change, choice and power. It is a process of change by which the individuals and groups
with little or no power gain the power and ability to make choices that affect their lives. Women empowerment
is a stage of acquiring power for women in order to understand her rights and to perform her responsibilities
towards oneself and others in a most effective way6
.
Acquisition of personal skills, Power to take decisions, knowledge about their rights and privileges, self
confidence and Awareness are necessary parts of empowerment. Awareness of rights is required for a person to
develop his capacity of self-control, self-strength and self-reliance and to build freedom of choice and action. It
is a process of change by which the individuals and groups with little or no power gain the power and ability to
make choices that affect their lives. Women empowerment is a process whereby women become able to
organize themselves, to increase their own self reliance, to assert their independent right to make choices and to
control resources which will assist in challenging and eliminating their own subordination. In this study it refers
to empowerment of women especially the women residing in rural areas.
VII. Scope of the Study
The study is confined to Kudumbasree units of Kerala. Study is conducted on the basis of sample units
taken from rural areas of Kozhikode district.
Review of Literature
Kudumbasree is a unique poverty eradication mission of the state of Kerala. Many studies have so far
conducted in relation with Kudumbasree and self help groups in different parts of our country. A brief view of
the studies so far conducted is given below.
Gurumoorthy (2000)7
reveals that empowering women contributes to social development. Economic
progress in any country whether developed or underdeveloped could be achieved through social development.
The self-help group disburses micro-credit to the rural women for the purpose of making them enterprising
women and encouraging them to enter into entrepreneurial activities. Credit needs of the rural women are
fulfilled totally through the self-help groups. SHGs enhance equality of status of women as participants,
decision makers and beneficiaries in the democratic economic, social and cultural spheres of life. SHGs also
encourage women to take active part in socio-economic progress of our nation.
Puhazhendhi and Satyasai (2001)8
in their study attempted to evaluate the performance of SHGs with
special reference to social and economic empowerment. Primary data collected with the help of structured
questionnaire from 560 sample households in 223 SHGs functioning in 11 states representing four different
regions across the country have formed the basis of the study. The findings of the study reveal that the SHGs as
institutional arrangement could positively contribute to the economic and social empowerment of rural poor.
The impact on the later is more pronounced than on the former. Though there has been no specific pattern in the
performance of SHGs among different regions, the southern region could edge out other regions. The SHGs
programme has been found more popular in the southern region and its progress in other regions is quite low,
thus signifying an uneven achievement among the regions. Older groups had relatively more positive features
like better performance than younger groups.
Sakuntala Narasimhan (2001)9
, focuses specifically on rural Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe
women, who are disadvantaged as women, as members of the rural section of the laypeople and because of their
low caste status. The book compares the effectiveness of State initiatives with the motivation - and
conscientisation strategy advocated by Action for Welfare and Awakening in Rural Environment (AWARE), a
non-governmental development organization working in 6000 villages spread over 7 States in India. It analyses
the success of AWARE’s work among women through various case studies and concludes that, besides
monetary resources, it is the mindset of the policy makers, bureaucrats and particularly the women concerned
that must change in order to assist the empowerment of women.
Jaya S. Anand (2002)10, in her discussion paper titled “Self-Help Groups in Empowering Women: Case
Study of Selected SHGs and NHGs”, gives a review of progress of Self Help 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)11
, 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.
J. Bhagyalakshmi (2004)12
, in the article, “Women’s Empowerment - Miles to Go”, points out that
India as a signatory to the UN Convention has taken several measures to ensure full development and
advancement of women. The women specific programmes are showing positive results in empowering women,
until now, one feels, there are miles to go and promises to keep. All forms of violence against women, physical
and mental, whether at familial or communal level shall be dealt with great care. She states that all forms of
discrimination against girl child and violation of her rights shall be eliminated by undertaking strong measures
both preventive and disciplinary within and outside the family. Though women play a major role in agriculture
and allied sectors, their contribution is hardly recognized. Intensive efforts are needed to ensure that benefits of
training, extension and various programmes will reach them to make them more effective in their own area of
operation.
Sri.V.P.Ragavan (2009)13, in his article stated that the poor women of the State have become active
participants in the planning and implementation process of various ant-poverty programmes. By participating in
various income generating –cum-developmental activities, the morale and confidence of women became very
high. Capacity of the poor women of the State in several areas has gone up considerably. Status of women in
families and community has also improved. Kudumbashree has gained national and international acclaim as an
ideal and workable model of participatory development for eradicating poverty. He further stated that women
empowerment is the best strategy for poverty eradication.
Minimol M. C and Makesh K. G (2012)14
in their study identified that Intellectual empowerment is
considered more important, or at least equally important to social, economic or financial empowerment. The
concept of personal empowerment often fails to encompass intellectual empowerment. The objective intended to
be achieved is that the members become more capacitated to think and act better from blunt in thinking to sharp;
and from thick in action to fine. According to them the concept of SHGs for rural women empowerment has not
yet run its full course in attaining its objective.
Sanjay Kanti Das (2012)15
in his study indicated that SHG-Bank Linkage of micro finance programme
has a profound influence on the economic status, decision making power, knowledge and self worthiness of
women participants of SHG linkage programme in Assam.
Kenneth Kalyani, Seena P.C (2012)16
reveals that economic development is the base for other
development. Collective effort has been recognized as tenets of women empowerment. Through women
empowerment leads to sustainable social development. Economic development of women leads to better living
status in the family, educational, nutritional, and the health needs of the children were well satisfied. Economic
independence through Kudumbasree improved the social participation of its members and the Kudumbashree
NHG movement is supporting for social empowerment of poor women flock.
Now it is apparent that a number of studies are conducted on SHG groups and Kudumbasree and its
role on empowerment of women. The researcher is intended to study to know to what extend Kudumbasree
programme in Kerala has influenced the rural women for their empowerment.