Kerala’s Kudumbashree Programme Provided Jobs To More Than 19,000 Women In 60 Days

Kudumbashree Mission, a Neighbourhood Group (NHG) launched by the Kerala government 22 years ago, launched a programme called 'Athijeevanam Keraleeyam' in September to provide meaningful employment to the state’s women. The initiative’s initial target was to facilitate finding 15,000 jobs for women in 100 days. However, it surpassed this figure in just 60 days of its launch.

Kerala’s Kudumbashree Mission Empowers Women

Kudumbashree, meaning ‘prosperity of the family’ in Malayalam, is the Kerala government’s participatory poverty eradication and women empowerment mission. Started in 1998, it operates through a three-tiered community network of women. The programme’s Executive Director Harikishore S said that 'Athijeevanam Keraleeyam' is an attempt to render women self-employed or help them secure waged jobs through skill training.

He told The News Minute, “The state government had in its 100-day programme announced that 50,000 people would be given livelihood opportunities in non-farming sector. Kudumbashree was expected to facilitate 15,000 of these, in this 100-day period - from September 1 to December 10. However, we have already been able to create opportunities for 19,136 people. That a women’s group could do this amid all the difficulties thrown by COVID-19 is remarkable.”

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What You Should Know: 

• Kudumbashree Mission, an initiative launched by the Kerala government, launched a programme called 'Athijeevanam Keraleeyam' in September to provide meaningful employment to the state’s women.
• The initiative surpassed its initial target of securing jobs for 15,000 people in 100 days in just 60 days. 
• The programme has helped women develop skills in approximately 50 fields – training as a beautician, catering, tailoring, stitching, etc.

Women Secure Employment In Several Fields

The programme has helped women develop skills in approximately 50 fields – training as a beautician, catering, tailoring, stitching etc. Via a Facebook post, Harikishore S explained that those interested in starting micro enterprises were given General Orientation Training (GoT). Consequently, they were trained through a module of Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP). Finally, skill training was extended to all those who want to be self-employment.

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The programme helped two women, Mumtaz and Sumathi, to open a stitching centre and training institute. Talking to The News Minute about the same, they said, “We haven’t been able to get any students for the institute yet but we are getting orders for stitching clothes, and that’s good enough for now. Only once the coronavirus passes would business get better.”

Furthermore, many women who developed catering skills have now secured employment in Janakeeya Hotels. Started by the government to provide affordable meals at Rs 20 for people, Janakeeya hotels have been well-appreciated amidst the coronavirus pandemic. Presently, Kerala has around 800 of these hotels.

Picture Credits: The News Minute

Tarini Gandhiok is an intern with SheThePeople.TV