The Kudumbasree project is an initiative aimed at women empowerment and poverty eradication. It began as a modest project in 1998 through various women self-help groups. Over the years, the Indian government encouraged farming and entrepreneurial support initiatives and Kudumbasree has emerged as a major community-network for women. The purpose of Kudumbasree was to ensure that women become active leaders and stay involved in development initiatives in the community instead of remaining passive recipients of public assistance.
The delegation attended the community's assembly session, observed the village's information technology initiatives, and went on a field visit to Kudumbasree's milk production unit and paper bag-making unit. The South African delegation heard that 38,050 joint liability groups have been formed in the state and they are involved in collective farming and entrepreneurial activities across the state. The groups can sell the produce on their own at government outlets, helping to empower women entrepreneurs and farmers.
