History and Evolution of Kudumbashree Mission - Its impactful analysis.

Kudumbashree signifies different things to different people.

For some, it is Kerala's state government’s poverty eradication initiative. For others, it represents a network of women involved in social work. Many also associate Kudumbashree with the women who collect waste from households monthly.

Kudumbashree, a poverty eradication mission, operates through Neighbourhood Groups (NHGs) in villages, and Community Development Societies (CDS) at broader levels. These terms are interchangeably used to describe the organization’s various aspects. Women credit Kudumbashree for providing nutrimix to Anganawadis, among other support.

To understand Kudumbashree’s history and evolution, we need to explore the community network of women and the supporting Mission. We will trace the experiments and experiences that shaped Kudumbashree.

Evolution of the Kudumbashree Idea:

• Kudumbashree originated from the People’s Plan Movement, a state strategy for mass mobilization for decentralized planning.
• It extended from the CDS experiments in Alappuzha and Malappuram, which themselves were influenced by NABARD's SHG Bank Linkage Programme.
• The foundation of Kudumbashree is NHGs, a concept deeply rooted in Kerala’s development history and traditional community organization forms.

The NHG concept contrasts with the SHG model promoted in various states and countries, as NHGs in Kerala were designed for planning and development actions.

• Kudumbashree evolved through community mobilization experiments and various civil society initiatives aimed at different community goals.
• The decentralization of powers to Panchayati raj institutions and the People’s Plan Campaign catalyzed Kudumbashree’s formation.

Launched during the 1996 People’s Plan Campaign, Kudumbashree operates under the local self-government department with support from the union government and NABARD. It comprises NHGs, ADSs at the ward level, and CDSs at the local government level. As of 2023, Kudumbashree includes over 300,000 NHGs, 19,000 ADSs, and 1,070 CDSs. It has also launched supplementary groups for young women, providing income-generating opportunities and social intervention platforms.

Role in Crisis Management:

In crisis like floods and pandemics, Kudumbashree has consistently supported Kerala and its people. Initially a cluster of microcredit neighborhood groups focusing on thrift and credit, Kudumbashree transformed women from poverty-stricken families into crisis managers and entrepreneurs.

Launched in Malappuram 26 years ago by Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee, Kudumbashree aimed to integrate women into the societal mainstream.