Author(s): Neethu Mohan, Saravana Selvi C and KS Pushpa

Abstract:
Empowering women does not mean to give them power to dominate others or to use power to establish their superiority over others. Therefore, empowerment of women in reality is to empower themselves. Empowerment means empowering the self-recognition of one’s own capacities and contribution to the family, community and society at large in order to create a positive self-image. Empowerment of women is considered as an important responsibility of every Government. In this regards, Government of Kerala introduced the new women empowerment programme known as, “Kudumbashree.” The very motto of Kudumbashree is based on women empowerment. Thodiyoor is the Grama Panchayat comes under the Karunagappally block in Kollam District was selected for the present study. There are 452 NHG units functioning in the Thodiyoor Panchayat out of them 10 NHGs were randomly selected, from that 10 NHG presidents were selected purposefully to know the performance of Kudumbashree and to assess the effectiveness of each NHGs in this particular area of study. Interview schedule was used to collect the information from the respondents. The collected data were statistically analyzed and interpreted using appropriate statistical tools. The data were collected between February to March 2017. It could be concluded that the Kudumbashree mission is one of the most effective schemes for the upliftment of rural women of Kerala. The kudumbashree model of women empowerment could be followed by other states in India will definitely improve the development of rural women in many ways.