CHAPTER VII ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN. VII.2. Process of Women Empowerment in Kudumbashree

Transcription

1 CHAPTER VII ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN VII.1. Introduction VII.2. Process of Women Empowerment in Kudumbashree VII.3. Gender Self Learning VII.4. Economic Empowerment of Respondents in the Sample Villages VII.5. Distribution of Beneficiaries According to their Roles in Decision-Making VII.6. Distribution of Beneficiaries for Being a Candidate for Panchayath/ CDS Elections VII.7. Development of Banking Habits among the Respondents VII.8. Changes seen in Perceived Level of Experience and General Standard of Living after Joining the NHGs. VII.9. Conclusion VII.10. References 207

2 CHAPTER VII ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN Beyond capacity building- building capabilities Mission Kudumbashree VII.1. Introduction Women represent half the world's population, but gender inequality exists in every nation on the planet. Economic empowerment is the capacity of women and men to participate in, contribute to and benefit from growth processes in ways which recognise the value of their contributions, respect their dignity and make it possible to negotiate a fairer distribution of the benefits of growth (Eyben, R, 2008). Economic empowerment increases women s access to economic resources and opportunities including jobs, financial services, property and other productive assets, skills development and market information. The economic empowerment of women is a prerequisite for sustainable development, pro-poor growth and the achievement of all the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Gender equality and empowered women are catalysts for multiplying development efforts. Investments in gender equality yield the highest returns of all development investments (OECD, 2010). Kudumbashree considers economic empowerment of women as one of the three important tools for poverty alleviation. Kudumbashree organised women at the grass root level with the support of local self-governments and imparts training to start their own enterprises. Micro finance activities through thrift and credit activities and bank linkage are widespread. Mission provides support to enterprises for business development, bank linkage, and capacity building both technical and managerial, as well as market access. Today, thousands of small scale enterprises are run 208

3 successfully in various sectors including IT, hotels, eco-friendly products, food products, food processing, readymade dress making, umbrella, sandals & shoe making, handicraft production, dairying, agriculture, carpentry and other household items. Besides, Kudumbashree members take land on lease for collective farming, producing paddy, vegetables and fruits and even to do floriculture. Neighbourhood group (NHG) is the basic unit of women folk where they are free to ventilate their feelings, discuss their problems, share their joy, learn many new things and make joint effort to find solutions to their grievances. This is a platform where they discover themselves - their strengths, weaknesses and possibilities - to improve their economic status. Hence, the first step of empowerment that is selfdiscovery of the poor women takes place in the weekly meetings of the Neighbourhood Groups. The NHGs are strengthened by nurturing it with facilitation trainings, education and strong support system of the Government, especially the support of Local Self Government. These support systems strongly motivate them to come up with their dreams and Action Plans, which is the second step of their empowerment process. Then they start acting on the dream plans and on the process. They feel highly confident and empowered which results in the improvement in their economic status. The whole process encompasses political, social, educational and economic aspects of empowerment. In the past four years, the Mission has expanded its scope to other income generating and marketing activities, while consolidating the earlier gains made in the micro finance sector. The committed initiatives of Kudumbashree to eradicate poverty through economic empowerment and community action have led to a strong network of 37 lakh women s units. 209

4 Figure VII.1. Process of Women Empowerment in Kudumbashree Better awareness of Government programmes and services for the poor Improved access and utilization of such facilities and programmes Generation of savings and lending them for consumption purposes and emergencies Lending for improving existing self-employment ventures Micro level planning for social infrastructure Micro level planning for economic development through income generation activities Seeking and availing of bank credit for individual and group micro enterprises Demand for improvement in public services Primary health, reproductive and child health, pre-primary and school education, welfare entitlements related to food security and social security Readiness to manage public assets like water supply systems Public action against evils like alcoholism, which mainly affects Public action to facilitate the creation of a political space to influence policy Source: Economic Review

5 VII.2. Process of Women Empowerment in Kudumbashree Empowerment happens through awareness. Kudumbashree Mission in Kerala is insisting on awareness programme for the women about government programmes and services to the poor. This kind of awareness leads to improved access and utilization of such facilities and programmes. Then women generate savings and lend them for consumption purposes and emergencies and lending for improving existing self-employment ventures. This process can develop micro level planning for social infrastructure, economic development through income generation activities, and availing of bank credit for individual and group micro enterprises. Thus demands for improvement in public services like primary health, reproductive and child health, pre-primary and school education, welfare entitlements related to food security and social security arise and readiness to manage public assets like water supply system increases. Women support Public action against evils like alcoholism, which mainly affects the creation of a political space to influence policy. The process continues. This empowerment process is depicted in figure no.vii Gender Self Learning Programme Gender Self Learning Programme is an educational process, formulated by Kudumbashree envisaging a platform to share debate and record both the visible and invisible representation and participation of women in social, economic, political and cultural settings. The programme tries to bring out different models to enable opportunities and operational changes in local economic development, local governance through education. The voices of women and perceptions on topics of discussion are recorded in the web portal which can be accessed at the local selfgovernment level. 211

6 The Gender Self Learning Programme implementation is carried out through Gender Resource Person Coordinators (RPC) posted in all the 14 districts. The Gender RPCs are selected from among experienced social activists who are academically qualified. The first step towards the implementation of the project state wide was to mobilize resource persons who could deliver gender sensitive strategies to make women visible in different dimensions of the society. The network of resource persons have been strengthened by including more young activists who can propagate the aims of Gender Self Learning Programme at the grass root level. A hand book on Sthreepadavi swayampatana prakriya- enthu? engane? (Status of women - a selfstudy, how? and why?) was introduced to understand the background, aims and objectives of the education process. The introductory training sessions were held for state to ward level resource persons. Vanita Sabha is the first step towards culling out the experiences of women at the grass root level. It is an exercise to form creative learning groups that share, understand and stack recognition; concerns and solutions which eventually influence policy decisions. VII.4. Economic Empowerment of Respondents in the Sample Villages To eradicate poverty it is essential to bring in prosperity by actively involving in livelihood activities. The members of NHGs are facilitated to undertake small livelihood activities to improve their living conditions. The starting point is the thrift and credit operation through which they learn the basic lessons of economic development (Kudumbashree Mission, 2009). 212

7 Previous chapters have proved that women are getting economically empowered through micro financing and micro enterprising. Current chapter is an analysis on how far the respondents or beneficiaries of Kudumbashree have improved economically, socially and politically in the sample villages. (A) Average Annual Income Table No.VII.1 illustrates a comparative analysis of average annual income of the respondents before and after joining the NHGs in these villages. The table represents a satisfactory picture of the efforts taken up by these women through micro financing and micro enterprising. The annual income of 23 per cent women was between Rs.1000 /-to Rs.5000/- before joining the NHG. This percentage has diminished to 2.7 per cent after joining the NHG. 45 per cent women respondents lived with an average annual income between Rs.5000/- to Rs.10000/-. This percentage has diminished to 8.7 per cent after joining NHGs. Before joining NHG 24 per cent of women had an average annual income between Rs.10000/- to Rs.25000/-. This number has increased to 32.3 per cent with their initiatives and hard work at NHGs. There were only 8 per cent women belonging to the group of income earned greater than Rs.25000/-. This has gone up to 56.3 per cent after the greater efforts taken by NHGs. The table no.vii.1 portrays an overall improvement in the annual income of the respondents. 213

8 Table No.VII.1 Comparative Analysis of Average Annual Income Before and After Joining NHGs. Annual income Before joining NHG No. of Respondents Percentage Annual income After joining NHG No. of Respondents Percentage > > Total Total The annual average income of the beneficiaries is analysed on the basis of APL and BPL category. Before joining the NHGs 62 per cent of the APL beneficiaries were in the income group of Rs.25000/- and above. This number increased to 86.2 per cent after joining the NHG. In case of BPL beneficiaries only 2.2 per cent were in the income group of more than Rs.25000/-. This number has substantially increased to 53 per cent. The tables reveal that overall upward shift has taken place in income of all the beneficiaries but this shift is much more prominent in case of BPL beneficiaries in lower income categories. Chi Square test is done to prove the significant relationship. At 5 per cent level of significance, the calculated value of Chi Square is for 3 degrees of freedom. The table value of Chi Square for 3 degree of freedom at 5 per 214

9 cent significant level is Comparing the calculated and table values of Chi Square, we find that calculated value is more than the table value thus indicating a significant relationship between income categories of people before joining NHGs and APL/BPL status. Similar results are seen in Table VII.3. Chi Square value = with 3 degrees of freedom and P =.001 At 5 per cent level of significance, the calculated value of Chi Square is for 3 degrees of freedom. The table value of Chi Square for 3 degree of freedom at 5 per cent significant level is Comparing the calculated and table values of Chi Square, we find that calculated value is more than the table value thus indicating a significant relationship between income after joining NHGs and APL/BPL wise classification of the beneficiaries. Table No.VII.2 Distribution of Beneficiaries into APL and BPL Families Based on Annual Income (Before joining NHGs) Sr. No Familiy's Average Annual Income (Rs.) Before joining NHGs >25000 Total No. of Respondents APL BPL Total (49.1) 66 (24.4) 6 (2.2) 271 (100.0) 69 (23.0) 135 (45.0) 72 (24.0) 24 (8.0) 300 (100.0) Chi Square Df P Figures in Parenthesis Indicate Percentage to the Respective Total 215

10 Table No.VII.3 Distribution of Beneficiaries into APL Families Based on Annual Income (After Joining NHGs) Sr. No. Familiy's average annual income (Rs.) After joining NHG No. of Respondents APL BPL Total Chi Square Df P (2.2) 8 (2.7) (9.2) 26 (8.7) (35.4) 97 (32.3) > (56.3) Total Figures in Parenthesis Indicate Percentage to the Respective Total (B) Annual Expenditure on Children s Education: Education has always been the prime important matter in the lives of a Kerala woman. All women respondents have sent their children to school. School education is free in the government schools. Out of 300 respondents 10 women respondents are without children, hence their expenditure on education. Out of remaining 73 per cent women spent Rs.100/- to Rs.1000/- on their children s education prior to joining NHGs. After joining NHGs these women have become economically empowered and hence started sending their children to tuition classes, shown an interest in 216

11 sending them for vocational courses etc. As a result, the percentage of women spending on Rs.100/- to Rs.1000/- on children s education has decreased to per cent of women used to spend on their children s education between Rs.1000/- to Rs.5000/- before joining NHGs. This number has increased to 44.3 per cent. Only.3 per cent women were spending on children s education between Rs.5000/- to Rs.10000/- before joining NHGs which has increased to 12 per cent after joining NHGs. Not a single respondent was found spending above Rs.10000/- on children s education before joining NHGs. The scenario has changed and 1.3 per cent of women started spending on their children s education above Rs.10000/-. The table no.vii.4 depicts the overall change happening on spending on children s education in these sample villages. Table No.VII.4 Comparative Analysis of Annual Expenditure on Children s Education before and after Joining NHGs. Before joining NHG Annual No. of Expenditure Respondents Percentage After joining NHG Annual No. of Expenditure Respondents Percentage None None Total Total

12 (C) Annual Expenditure on Family s Health Care: Health care in Indian villages have always been a neglected area. These village women are not an exception. Hence it is not surprising to note that 53.3 per cent of the women have not spent even a paisa on health care before joining NHGs. They used home remedies whenever they fell sick. There is a health care volunteer appointed in every NHG. This health care volunteer takes care of health related matters of the members. This readily available facility and increased incomes of the respondents have reduced the number of women not spending a paisa on health care from 53.3 per cent to 12.7 per cent. Table No. VII.7 reflects that 45 per cent women were spending between Rs.100/- to Rs.1000/- for health care before joining NHGs. They have increased to 52 per cent after joining NHGs. There were only 1.3 per cent of women spending between Rs.1000/- to Rs.5000/- on sickness before these respondents becoming a part of NHG, now have increased to 31.3 per cent after becoming a part of NHGs. In the magnitude of Rs.5000/- to Rs.10000/- no women respondent was found spending before they joined the NHGs but 4 per cent were found in this category after they joined NHGs. Table No. VII.5 give a picture of health care spending by respondents in the sample villages and the spending pattern indicate the awareness they received after joining NHGs. 218

13 Table No.VII.5 Comparative Analysis of Annual Expenditure on Family s Health Care before and after Joining NHG Annual Expenditure Before joining NHG No. of Respondents Percentage Annual Expenditure After joining NHG No. of Respondents Percentage None None Total Total (D) Changes Perceived in Standard of Living after Joining NHG The above tables portray about the changes witnessed by the women in their lives after they joined NHGs. The table below depicts about the changes these women have perceived in their standard of living. The changes they perceive are categorised into three; 1) Considerable Improvement, 2) Moderate Improvement, 3) No Change per cent of the respondents agreed that they have experienced considerable change in their standard of living. 19 per cent women found there is a moderate improvement. 1.3 per cent found there is no change in their life style. The overall summary of the table no.vii.6 is maximum number of respondents found major positive change in their standard of living after joining NHGs. 219

14 Table No.VII.6 Changes Perceived in Standard of Living after Joining NHG Sr. No Category No. of Respondents Percentage Considerable Improvement Moderate Improvement No Change Total (E) Distribution of Beneficiaries According to APL/BPL wise on the Basis of Changes Perceived in Standard of Living after Joining NHGs: Table No.VII.7 notifies that BPL beneficiaries reported that they have witnessed vast change in their standard of living after joining NHGs as 81.2 per cent of women reported with considerable improvement as compare to APL category that is per cent. Chi Square test shows that with Chi Square value of and 2 degrees of freedom the value of P=.000 which is less than the significant level 5 per cent. The calculated value of Chi Square is more than the calculated table value of at 2 degree of freedom. It indicates that there is significant relationship between changes perceived in the standard of living and BPL/APL wise classification of beneficiaries. 220

15 Table No.VII.7 Distribution of Beneficiaries into APL and BPL Families On The Basis of Changes Perceived in Standard of Living after Joining NHG Sr.No. Changes Perceived in Standard of Living After Joining NHG No. of Respondents APL BPL Total Chi Square Df P 1. Considerable Improvement 19 (65.5) 220 (81.2) 239 (79.7) 2. Moderate Improvement 7 (24.1) 50 (18.5) 57 (19.0) No Change 3 (10.3) 1 (.4) 4 (1.3) Total 29 (100.0) 271 (100.0) 300 (100.0) Figures in Parenthesis Indicate Percentage to the Respective Total (F) Rating the Support Received From the Family The family support rating is categorised into five, 1) very good support 2) good support 3) average support 4) poor support and 5) no support per cent women admitted that they received very good support from their family members after joining NHGs. 34 per cent agreed to have a good support from their family members. 5 per cent agreed to have support which is very average. Only 1 person each i.e..3 per cent said they received very poor support or no support towards joining NHGs from their families. Table No. VII.8 summarises that maximum women received support from their families for joining NHGs and carrying out its activities. 221

16 Table No.VII.8 Rating the Support Received From the Family Sr. No. Ratings No. of Respondents Percentage 1. Very Good Good Average Poor 1.3 No support / No 5. comments 1.3 Total (G) Rating the Support Received from the NHG, ADS, CDS Apart from the families they belong to it is essential to get support from the NHGs, related ADS and CDS. The rating is considered as follows: 1) Very good support 2) good support and 3) Average support. 84 per cent of the women agreed that they received very good support from Kudumbashree; 15.3 per cent of women responded that they received good support and.7 per cent reported that they received average support. Table VII.9 summarises that maximum women responded that they received very good support from NHG, ADS and CDS. 222

17 Table No.VII.9 Rating the Support Received from the NHG, ADS, CDS Sr. No. Ratings No. of Respondents Percentage 1. Very Good Good Average 2.7 Total (H) Success of Kudumbashree Schemes in Reducing Poverty and Improving the Income of the Families: Kudumbashree has been successful in reducing poverty and raising income of the respondents per cent respondents agreed that the schemes of Kudumbashree have helped them to reduce poverty and to increase income level to a great extent. Only 3.3 per cent women had an opinion that the schemes were successful to some extent although not great extent. Table VII.10 summarises that Kudumbashree is successful in these sample villages as the scheme has helped many to reduce poverty and increase income level. 223

18 Table No.VII.10 Success of Kudumbashree Schemes in Reducing Poverty and Improving the Income of the Families Category No. of Respondents Percentage To a great extent To some extent Total (I) Kudumbashree and Improvement in the Position of Women in their Families: 88 per cent women agree to the fact that Kudumbashree has improved their position in the families. Only 2 per cent of the women disagree to this fact; and 10 per cent of the women convey that they do not know whether Kudumbashree has made any change in their lives. Table no. VII.11 summarises that Kudumbashree has a great role in changing the position of respondent women in their families. 224

19 Table No.VII.11 Kudumbashree and Improving Position of Women in Families Category Number of Respondents Percentage Agree Disagree Do not know Total VII.4. Distribution of Beneficiaries According to their Role in Decision-Making There are evidences that economic independence gives a greater role to women in decision-making. Studies show that (Agarwal, 1994) women s participation in decision-making leads to a greater bargaining strength with in the family. Table No.VII.12 describes about the major decision making power in the hands of the women respondents after joining NHGs. Women in the state of Kerala are not free birds. They still depend on the male members to take major decisions in the family matters. In our survey of 300 women 292 positive responses were received about their improved role in the decision making process per cent respondents said that they still have say as far as education of their children are concerned; which school to join, purchasing of note books and pen etc., decision making power is left to them. The major change happened in the case to acquisition of assets per cent women said that their opinion considered per cent of women agreed that since they get advances from NHGs for purchasing household items the family considers their opinion as final. 225

20 The table VII.12 summarises women s role in decision making which indicate that women respondents have a final say in the matters of education of children, assets acquisition and purchasing of household items. Table No.VII.12 Distribution of Beneficiaries According to their Role in Decision-Making Number of Sr. No. Particulars Respondents Percentage 1. Education of children Acquisition of assets Purchasing of household items Total 292 VII.6. Distribution of Beneficiaries for Being a Candidate for Panchayath/ CDS Elections After becoming a part of NHGs in their respective villages, many women have become a part of selected members of Area Development Society (ADS) and Community Development Society (CDS). These women were encouraged to contest election on behalf of the Panchayath they belong to since they proved their leadership skills in the NHGs. Table No.VII.13 describes that 4 per cent of the respondents became contestants for the Panchayath elections held during the period of study. Remaining 96 per cent were not contestant for the same. 226

21 Kudumbashree announced its first election for the CDS chairperson and members in the year Table No.VII.14 indicates that 16 per cent of the women respondents were contestant proving their political empowerment in these sample villages. Table No.VII.13 and VII.14 summarises about the political empowerment of women in the sample villages. Shyamala Chechi Shyamala the Panchayath member has her own story to narrate. Women in Vallachira Panchayath owe to her for providing them a building to start their tailoring group venture. Shyamala used to be an introvert before she joined NHG. Shyamala inspired by the women in the NHG she belongs to started exhibiting leadership qualities as an NHG member. When she became the Secretary of the NHG she improvised the functioning of their NHGs. Later, she contested for Panchayath election and became a member for the first time. During the next election people selected her and she became President of the Panchayath. Currently she works for the Panchayath as a member and serves all NHG women. Table No.VII.13 Distribution of Beneficiaries for Being a Candidate for Panchayath Elections Sr. No. 1. Category Number of Respondents Percentage Non- Contestant Contestant Total

22 Table No.VII.14 Distribution of Beneficiaries for Being a Candidate for CDS Elections Sr. Number of No. Category Respondents Percentage 1. Non contestant Contestant Total VII.7. Development of Banking Habits among the Respondents Development of banking habits is the most important step towards economic empowerment of the women. Before joining the NHGs 66.3 per cent women were not having a bank account. The scenario has changed after they joined NHGs. Now it is mandatory for the NHG members surveyed to have a bank account since all transactions are done through the bank. 100 per cent women respondents have a bank account in these sample villages. Table no. VII.15 explains about the development of banking habits in the sample villages. 228

23 Table No.VII.15 Banking Habits Before and After Joining NHG Category Before Joining NHGs No. of Respondents Percentage Category After Joining NHGs No. of Respondents Percentage Without bank account With bank account Without bank account 0 0 With bank account Total Total VII.8 Changes in Perceived Level of Experience and General Standard of Living After Joining the NHGs. The table reveals total change in overall empowerment of women after joining the Kudumbashree Programme. The programme has mainly succeeded in its basic objective of removing poverty and bringing economic empowerment to the members as out of total respondents 85 per cent find considerable improvement in their incomes. Economic empowerment leads to increased importance of the views of these women in their families. This is reflected in the table as 76.3 per cent respondents felt considerable improvement in their status in families and participation in decision making. Women respondents found considerable improvement in satisfaction of their basic needs per cent of members agree that their basic needs are satisfied due to economic empowerment. Government provides training to women for skill up-gradation per cent of women agree to the fact that they found considerable improvement in their skills and awareness per cent of women found considerable improvement in their mobility. Women respondents 229

24 report that they found themselves interacting in activities outside the home, in market place, with outsiders, especially in economic transactions after joining NHGs. Women respondents also found a major change in the level of knowledge about marketing and awareness of wider environment. 41 per cent of women found considerable improvement in attaining wide knowledge about the entrepreneurial skills. Women respondents in the sample village reported that they used to shiver while meeting any bank officer or any other government office earlier. Now 42 per cent women members reported that they have attained considerable improvement in their courage to visit bank or other offices. Women members found moderate improvement in improved housing, water and sanitation (53.3%), increased employment opportunities (52%), increased household assets (52%) and ability to interact effectively (44.7%). Number of women respondents who report moderate improvement in bargaining power within households and in economic transactions, reduced domination by others: e.g. spouse, in-laws or children is 42.7 per cent. Women respondents still do not seem to be confident about their resistance to exploitation. Only 26.7 per cent respondents found considerable improvement, 25.7 per cent found moderate improvement and 29.7 of women reported that they found minimum improvement in their ability to resist exploitation per cent found no change in the situation. It is pleasing to note that all women respondents in the sample villages are witnessing positive change. Change in self-esteem and self-confidence and, in turn; mobility and interactions at the household and community levels; increased sense of own contributions and own abilities. Thus, women have begun to receive and use income to make a positive contribution to the household, the community and their own empowerment. 230

25 Table No.VII.16 Changes Seen in Perceived Level of Experience and General Standard of Living After Joining the NHGs. Sr.No. Statements Total 1. Satisfaction of basic needs Cognitive change in 2. level of knowledge 149 (49.7) 123 (41.0) 78 (26.0) 100 (33.3) 70 (23.3) 72 (24.0) 03 (1.0) (1.6) Improved skills and awareness 145 (48.3) 98 (32.7) 50 (16.7) 07 (2.3) Ability to resist exploitation 5. Increase in income 80 (26.7) 255 (85) 77 (25.7) 40 (13.3) 89 (29.7) 03 (1.0) 53 (17.7) 01 (0.3) (0.7) Increased bargaining power 67 (22.3) 128 (42.7) 91 (30.3) 14 (4.7) Increased level of mobility Increased status and 8. decision making within household Ability to interact 9. effectively Participation in nonfamily groups 10. Increased employment 11. opportunities Improved housing, water 12. and sanitation 124 (41.3) 229 (76.3) 112 (37.3) 102 (34) 85 (28.3) 116 (38.7) 102 (34.0) 30 (10.0) 134 (44.7) 114 (38) 156 (52.0) 160 (53.3) 59 (19.7) 35 (11.7) 33 (11.0) 64 (21.3) 47 (15.7) 14 (4.7) 15 (5.0) (1.3) 02 (0.7) (7.0) (6.7) (4.0) (3.3) Increased household assets 58 (19.3) 156 (52.0) 73 (24.3) 13 (4.3) Increased leadership quality 79 (26.3) 106 (35.3) 50 (16.7) 65 (21.7) Courage to visit bank or other offices attained 126 (42.0) 125 (41.7) 41 (13.7) 08 (2.7) Notes: (a) Figures in parenthesis indicate percentage to the respective total (b) (1) Considerate Improvement (2) Moderate improvement (3) Minimum improvement (4) No change (5) Deterioration 231

26 VII.9 Conclusion Kudumbashree promotes economic empowerment as a major tool to promote growth and reduce poverty. Analysis indicates that there is an overall improvement in the annual income of the respondents and BPL beneficiaries have seen the rise in income more amongst them. Awareness about taking care of health is successfully generated by the Kudumbashree movement in the villages, which is portrayed with help of their spending habits on health related matters. Increase in the expenditure on education of the children, is an excellent development happening in these villages and developing cent per cent banking habits amongst the respondents is another milestone of growth. The chapter summarises that Almost 96 per cent of respondents agreed to the fact that Kudumbashree has been successful in reducing poverty from their lives. Kudumbashree has been successful in empowering the women politically, socially and economically. The respondents felt courage, improved morale, and improved skills and awareness amongst themselves after joining the NHGs. The field survey reveals that Kudumbashree programme has made substantial change in health, education of children, enterprise development and women empowerment. In fact it has become a movement of women contributing significantly to their socio- economic empowerment. The survey reveals that more than 60 per cent of the women agreed that they received a very good support from the family. 4 per cent of the respondents were contested for Panchayath elections and 16 per cent were contestant for CDS election. 232

27 All the 300 respondents were found to have a bank account after joining NHGs. Kudumbashree is proved successful in these sample villages as the scheme has helped many to reduce poverty and increase income level of the people and has a great role in changing the position of women in their families. Apart from that maximum women responded that they received very good support from NHG, ADS and CDS and also from their families. Women respondents have a final say in the matters of education of children, assets and purchasing of household items. VII. 10. References 1. Agarwal, Bina (1994), A Field One s Own- Gender and Land Rights in South Asia, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, New York. 2. Devi, Lakshmi K.R and P.P.Pillai (2005), Micro Credit Programmes, Poverty Alleviation and Empowerment of Women- Some Empirical Evidence from Kerala in Isabelle Guerin and Jane Palies (eds), Micro Finance Challenges: Empowerment and Disempowerment of the Poor, All India Press, Pondicherry. 3. Eyben, R and others (2008), Conceptualising Empowerment and the Implications for Pro-Poor Growth, Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex, Brighton. 4. Kudumbashree (2009), Annual Report , Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. 5. Kudumbashree (2011), Kudumbashree Mission Hope Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. 6. Kudumbashree Mission (no date), Kudumbashree An Innovative Poverty Reduction Strategy, (from Accessed August 2009) 233

28 7. OECD (2010), Accelerating Progress towards the Mdgs through Pro-Poor Growth: Policy Messages from the DAC Network On Poverty Reduction, OECD, Paris. 8. State Planning Board (2002) Economic Review, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India