Recent trends in Gender Mainstreaming and Poverty Alleviation: The Kudumbashree Initiative

Main Article Content

Nupur Tiwari

Abstract

Kudumbashree was officially launched in 1998 in the State of Kerala, India, with the objective of eradicating absolute poverty in 10 years through community action. It is a comprehensive women-based poverty eradication programme jointly initiated by Government of Kerala and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), scaled up from earlier UNICEF-assisted initiatives in Alappuzha Municipality and Malappuram district. The programme is implemented by community-based organizations (CBOs) of poor women in co-operation with local governments (Panchayats).

Kudumbashree focuses on empowerment of women through its CBOs and activities such as service coordination, encouraging thrift and internal lending, and start-up of micro enterprises. There are success stories of enterprises such as catering and canteen services at bus stands and offices in several places across the state. Handling of solid waste in municipalities is another emerging area of activity.

Article Details

How to Cite
Tiwari, N. (2009). Recent trends in Gender Mainstreaming and Poverty Alleviation: The Kudumbashree Initiative. Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, (4), 121-128. https://doi.org/10.5130/cjlg.v0i4.1369
Section
Policy and Practice
Author Biography

Nupur Tiwari, Ministry of the Panchayati Raj

Senior Consultant to Union Minister of Panchayati Raj & Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region