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The IUP Journal of Entrepreneurship Development

The Impact of Kudumbashree Scheme on the Marginalized Women with Reference to Alappuzha District, Kerala

Article Details

Pub. Date	: June, 2021
Product Name	: The IUP Journal of Entrepreneurship Development
Product Type	: Article
Product Code	: IJED10621
Author Name	: Poornima Vijaykumar and Shradha Sangeeth
Availability	: YES
Subject/Domain	: Management Journals
Download Format	: PDF Format
No. of Pages	: 17

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Abstract

Poverty, illiteracy, malnutrition, unemployment and negligence of marginalized women in the rural areas are one of the main constraints for India's development. In the recent times, there has been a changing trend in the contribution of women. In order to encourage and support their entrepreneurial skills, the Government of India (GoI) has taken various initiatives towards Self-Help Groups (SHGs) such as Kudumbashree Scheme and Stree Shakthi Scheme. Such schemes help women to increase their income and savings to attain self-reliance. The present study is a descriptive research to analyze the impact of Kudumbashree scheme on the women members in the district of Alappuzha, Kerala. The study found how marginalized women are empowered in the society through SHGs initiated by the Kudumbashree scheme. The primary data was collected from 384 women of 20,108 Neighborhood Groups (NHGs) in 12 blocks of Alappuzha district using an interview schedule, and the data was analyzed using SPSS and Microsoft Excel by performing one sample t-test and regression analysis. The respondents of the study agree that various dimensions of the Kudumbashree scheme have helped them achieve economic independence and socioeconomic empowerment, and in the upliftment of their wellbeing. Kudumbashree has improved the income and savings habit of women by making it compulsory for members to save and encourage reinvestment of money in various entrepreneurial activities. The study also observed that women were more self-reliant and confident after being part of Kudumbashree scheme.

Introduction

In ancient times, the status of women was undermined either by law or custom for decisionmaking, personal and social rights. The subordination of women in the society is however a mere extension of their subordination in the family. In a patriarchal society, the abstract idea of justice and equality of women is not of much importance. Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have