KUDUMBASHREE
1. Context
Over the next two months, more than 2,000 schools will open their doors on weekends for the 46 lakh women enrolled in Kerala’s flagship poverty alleviation mission, Kudumbashree. Back in school, the women will attend classes on adapting to the digital age, as the mission seeks to reorient itself. Launching the “back to school” programme at an event in Palakkad district’s Thrithala on October 1, Kerala Local Self Government Department Minister M B Rajesh said the Kudumbashree mission has made great strides in empowering women over the last 25 years.
2. About Kudumbashree in Kerala
- Kudumbashree is a poverty eradication and women empowerment programme implemented by the State Poverty Eradication Mission (SPEM) of the Government of Kerala. The name Kudumbashree means "prosperity of the family" in Malayalam.
- Kudumbashree was launched in 1998 to empower women and reduce poverty in Kerala.
- It is one of the largest women's empowerment programmes in the world, with over 4.5 million members.
- Kudumbashree is based on the principle of collective action. NHGs are formed at the village level, with each NHG consisting of 15-20 women.
- SHGs are formed within NHGs, with each SHG consisting of 10-15 women. SHGs are the primary units of Kudumbashree, and they provide a range of services to their members, including microfinance, skill development, and income generation.
2.1. The benefits of kudumbasree
Kudumbashree offers a wide range of benefits to its members, including:
- Kudumbashree provides microfinance loans to its members at affordable interest rates. This helps women to start their own businesses and generate income for their families.
- Kudumbashree offers a variety of skill training programmes to its members, such as tailoring, embroidery, computer training, and beauty care. This helps women to develop new skills and improve their employability.
- Kudumbashree helps its members to start income-generating activities, such as self-help groups, micro-enterprises, and community farming. This helps families to increase their incomes and improve their living standards.
- Kudumbashree offers a variety of social welfare programmes to its members, such as health insurance, child care, and old age pension. This helps families to meet their basic needs and live with dignity.
- Kudumbashree plays an important role in disaster relief and rehabilitation. It provides emergency relief to families affected by natural disasters and helps them to rebuild their lives.
- Kudumbashree empowers women to participate in public life and make decisions that affect their lives.
- Kudumbashree brings people together from different backgrounds and communities. This helps to promote social cohesion and reduce conflict.
- Kudumbashree has helped to reduce gender inequality in Kerala by empowering women and giving them a voice in society.
3. About Self-Help Groups
Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are small, informal, and economically homogeneous groups of individuals who come together voluntarily to address common social and economic goals. They are a form of microfinance and community development, primarily focused on empowering marginalized and economically disadvantaged sections of society, especially women. The concept of SHGs has gained significant traction as a means of poverty alleviation and women's empowerment.
Importance of Self-help groups (SHGs)
- SHGs provide their members with access to financial services, skill training, and other resources. This can help members to start their own businesses, invest in education and healthcare, and cope with unexpected expenses.
- SHGs are typically composed of women, and they play an important role in empowering women. SHGs help women to build confidence, develop leadership skills, and participate in public life.
- SHGs provide a variety of social services to their members and the community at large. They can help to improve access to education, healthcare, and other essential services. SHGs can also play a role in disaster relief and rehabilitation.
- SHGs bring together people from different backgrounds and communities to work together for the common good. This can help to promote social cohesion and harmony.
3.1. The data and statistics about SHGs in India
As of 2023, there are over 8 crore Self Help Groups (SHGs) in India with over 14 crore members. Of these, over 90% are women-led SHGs. SHGs have played a significant role in reducing poverty, empowering women, and improving social development in India.
Some key data and statistics on SHGs in India
- Number of SHGs: 8.54 crore (as of March 2022)
- Number of SHG members: 14.2 crore (as of March 2022)
- Percentage of women-led SHGs: 90%
- Total savings of SHGs: Rs. 47,240 crore (as of March 2022)
- Total loans disbursed to SHGs by banks: Rs. 10,30,000 crore (as of March 2022)
3.2. The necessity of SHGs in rural development
Self-help groups (SHGs) are a necessity in rural development for several reasons.
- SHGs provide their members with access to financial services, skill training, and other resources. This can help members to start their own businesses, invest in education and healthcare, and cope with unexpected expenses.
- SHGs are typically composed of women, and they play an important role in empowering women. SHGs help women to build confidence, develop leadership skills, and participate in public life.
- SHGs can help to improve access to social services such as education, healthcare, and drinking water. They can also play a role in disaster relief and rehabilitation.
- SHGs can help to promote sustainable development by promoting environmental protection, natural resource management, and other sustainable practices.
- SHGs can help farmers improve their agricultural practices by providing them with access to inputs, credit, and training. This can lead to increased agricultural productivity and incomes.
- SHGs can help farmers to market their produce more effectively by providing them with information on market prices and trends, and by helping them to negotiate better prices for their produce.
- SHGs can help rural households access credit for productive purposes such as starting a business or investing in agriculture. This can help to reduce poverty and promote economic development.
- SHGs can help to reduce social isolation and promote community cohesion by providing members with a platform to interact and socialize.
3.3. The Role of SHGs in Women's Empowerment and Fighting Poverty
Self-help groups (SHGs) play a significant role in women's empowerment and fighting poverty. They provide women with a platform to come together, save money, and access credit. SHGs also provide women with training and support to start their own businesses and improve their skills.
The specific ways in which SHGs empower women and fight poverty:
- SHGs provide women with access to credit at low interest rates. This helps women to start their own businesses and invest in income-generating activities.
- SHGs offer a variety of skill training and development programmes to their members. This helps women to improve their employability, start their own businesses, and generate additional income.
- SHGs provide women with opportunities to develop their leadership skills. This helps women to participate more effectively in public life and to advocate for their rights.
- SHGs provide women with social support and empowerment. They help women to build confidence, develop their self-esteem, and overcome social barriers.
| For Prelims: kudumbashree, SHGs
For Mains
1. SHGs are a crucial tool for empowering women and reducing poverty in India. Comment (250 Words)
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Previous Year Questions
1. Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2023)
1. The Self-Help Group (SHG) programme was originally initiated by the State Bank of India by providing microcredit to the financially deprived.
2. In an SHG, all members of a group take responsibility for a loan that an individual member takes.
3. The Regional Rural Banks and Scheduled Commercial Banks support SHGs.
How many of the above statements are correct?
A. Only one B. Only two C. All three D. None
Answer: B
2. Kudumbashree is a programme implemented by the State Poverty Eradication Mission (SPEM) in ______. (SSC CPO 2020)
A. Gujarat B. Odisha C. Kerala D. Andhra Pradesh
Answer: C
Mains
1. Can the vicious cycle of gender inequality, poverty and malnutrition be broken through microfinancing of women SHGs? Explain with examples. (2021)
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