Kudumbashree Elections to identify the new office bearers for the Kudumbashree three tier system is proposed to be held from 7-25 January 2022. The Government Order regarding the same has been issued. A total of 1065 CDS Chairpersons, 2,14,379 ADS office bearers and 14,72,180 NHG office bearers would be selected through the elections. The time period of the current office bearers had come to an end on 26 January 2021. But due to the crisis of Covid-19 pandemic, the Government had extended the time period of the current office bearers until the new committee would be selected. 

According to the Government Order, the new office bearers may take charge on 26 January 2022 and the elections would be conducted according to that. As per that Government Order, the elections would be held at 2,94,436 NHGs, 19,489 Area Development Societies (ADSs), and 1065 Community Development Societies (CDSs) under Kudumbashree in Kerala. The elections to identify the office bearers of the 729 NHGs, 133 Ooru Samithis and 4 Panchayath Samithis of the three tier system which was formed as part of the Attappady Comprehensive Tribal Development and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group Development Project would also be held during these days.

The elections to the NHGs would be held from 7-13 January 2022 and the elections to the ADSs would be held during 16-21 January 2022. The CDS Election would be held on 25 January 2022. As per this, 5 office bearers each would be selected for the NHGs and a total of 14,72,180 people would be selected. 11 office bearers each would be selected for the ADSs and a total of 2,14,379 people would be selected. Whereas,  one Chairperson each would be selected to the CDSs and 1065 people would be selected. The new office bearers would take charge on 26 January 2022. 

The respective District Collectors are in charge of conducting the elections in the districts. One Presiding Officer and one Assistant Presiding Officer would oversee the elections in all CDSs. For this, Presiding Officers have been selected in all districts. The training had been extended to the District Mission Coordinators, Assistant District Mission Coordinators, District Programme Managers, Block Co-ordinators, City Mission Managers, 14 State Level Resource Persons, more than 500 District Level Resource Persons, CDS Chairpersons, CDS Member Secretaries and Vice Chairpersons for the smooth functioning of the elections and the same had already been completed.

Kudumbashree NHGs of Tanur Municipality need not stand in long queues for performing financial transactions at SBI Bank anymore. The State Bank of India Tanur Branch has launched Kudumbashree Pink Privilege Card for Kudumbashree NHGs for depositing and withdrawing their money without standing in long queues. It is for the first time, such a privilege card is launched in the state for the financial transactions of Kudumbashree members. The Regional Manager, State Bank of India, Kozhikode informed that the Pink Card would resolve the problem of waiting in the longer queues for hours to perform financial transactions.

Tanur is a crowded coastal town and the number of banks in the place is comparatively less. This peculiarity and due to the crisis caused by the covid-19 pandemic, one has to wait for a long hours to perform the financial transactions at the banks. As of now, there are 513 Kudumbashree NHGs in Tanur Municipality and the Kudumbashree members depend mainly on 3 banks. So the NHGs have had to spend more time performing financial transactions. Once, the 'Kudumbashree Pink Card' would come into being, Kudumbashree NHGs could perform financial transactions at banks through the special counter without standing in queues or taking tokens for the same. 

The distribution of the Pink Card was officially inaugurated by Shri. P.P Shamsudheen, Chairman, Tanur Municipality, by giving the same to the Kudumbashree NHGs at Meeting Hall, Tanur Municipality on 18 December 2021. The Branch Manager, SBI Tanur Branch gave awareness about usage of the Pink Card to Kudumbashree CDS members and NHGs. Smt. C. K Subaida, Chairperson, Tanur Municipality presided over the function. Shri. T. Manoj Kumar, Secretary, Tanur Municipality, Smt. K.P Fathima, Smt. Jasna Banu, Shri. Jayaprakash, various Standing Committee Chairpersons, Smt. Arifa, Kudumbashree CDS Chairperson, Shri. Vinu T.B, City Mission Manager, NULM, Shri. Sameer, NULM Kudumbashree Accountant, Smt. Nasiya, Community Organizer, Councilors, and CDS Members took part in the function.

The prizes for the winners of 'Kudumbashree Oru Nerchithram’ Photography Competition Season 4 were distributed. Ms. Arya Rajendran, Mayor, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation handed over the prizes to the winners who came in the first three places during the Inaugural Session of the 'Sthreepaksha Navakeralam' Gender Campaign held at Nishagandhi Auditorium, Kanakakkunnu, Thiruvananthapuram on 18 December 2021.  Shri. V. K Prasanth, MLA, Vattiyoorkavu Constituency handed over the prizes to the consolation prize winners. 

Shri. Suresh Cameo, Thekkumbatt House, Thekkankuroor, Malappuram had bagged the first prize. The Award consisting of Memento, Certificate and Cash Prize of Rs 25,000 was presented to him. Shri. Alfred M.K, Muringathery House, Erumapetty, Thrissur came second and Shri. Madhu Edachana, Kulangara House, Ozhakkodi, Wayanad came in third place. Award consisting of Memento, Certificate and cash prize of Rs 15,000 was presented to  Shri. Alfred M.K. The Award consisting of Memento, Certificate and cash prize of Rs 10,000 was presented to  Shri. Madhu Edachana.

The photographs submitted by Shri. Deepesh Puthiyapurayil, Shri. K.B Vijayan, Shri. Sarath Chandran, Shri. Pramod K, Shri. Abhilash G, Shri. Baiju C.J, Shri. Dinesh K, Shri. Jubel Joseph Jude, Shri. Shiju Vani and Shri Ijaz Punalur were selected for consolation prizes. The consolation prize consisted of memento, cash prize of Rs 2000 and a certificate.

The jury consisted of Shri. R. Gopalakrishnan, Senior Cinema Still Photographer, Shri. V. Vinod, Chief Photographer, Information and Public Relations Department, Government of Kerala, Smt. Chandralekha C.S, Documentary Filmmaker & Photographer and Smt. Asha Varghese, Director, Kudumbashree selected the winners.

The Photography Competition is organized realizing the fact that the best photographs depicting the hard work of Kudumbashree members would further boost the women empowerment process. The fourth season of the competition was held from 22 July 2021 to 15 September 2021. Good quality photographs portraying the strength of Kudumbashree, functioning focusing on women empowerment is considered for the ‘Kudumbashree Oru Nerchithram’ Photography Competition, which is being conducted from 2017 onwards. Like the first three seasons, the fourth season had also received good responses.

The first season of ‘Kudumbashree oru Nerchithram’ was conducted during November- December 2017, the second season during February -March 2019 and the third season was held during January- February 2020. The three seasons of 'Kudumbashree Oru Nerchithram' Photography Competition had resulted in a huge success. Good quality photographs portraying the strength of Kudumbashree, functioning focusing on women empowerment is considered for the ‘Kudumbashree Oru Nerchithram’ Photography Competition. Kudumbashree Mission which envisions eradicating poverty through women in Kerala had successfully completed 23 revolutionary years.

Shri. Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of Kerala inaugurated the 'Sthreepaksha Navakeralam' Gender Campaign which is being organized by Kudumbashree at Nishagandhi Auditorium, Kanakakunnu, Thiruvananthapuram on 18 December 2021. The campaign aim at equipping the society to nurture social attitude against dowry, violence towards women and resist the same. Shri. M. V Govindan Master, Minister, Local Self Government Department and Excise, Government of Kerala presided over the function. Through 'Sthreepaksha Navakeralam' Campaign, it is envisaged to take the awareness messages against dowry and violence towards women to all sectors of the society and thereby bring in a mind shift among the society and the general public.  

Smt. J. Chinchu Rani, Minister of Dairy Development & Animal Husbandry, Government of Kerala launched the approach note of the 'Sthreepaksha Navakeralam' Campaign during the function. Smt. R. Bindu, Minister for Higher Education and Social Justice, Government of Kerala launched the Kudumbashree Toll Free Number 1800-425-2088. The Crime Mapping Process was announced by Smt. P. Sathidevi, Chairperson, Kerala Women's Commission. Ms. Nimisha Sajayan, Cine Actor and the Campaign Ambassador, read out the Sthreepaksha Navakeralam pledge. Ms. Arya Rajendran, Mayor, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation handed over the prizes to the winners who came in the first three places of 'Kudumbashree Oru Nerchithram' Photography Competition. Shri. V. K Prasanth, MLA, Vattiyoorkavu Constituency handed over the prizes to the consolation prize winners. The Signature Song of Sthreepaksha Navakeralam Campaign was also launched at the function. 

Smt. P.I Sreevidya IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree welcomed the gathering. Smt. Sarada Muraleedharan IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala, Shri. D Suresh Kumar, President, Thiruvananthapuram District Panchayath, Shri. Jiju P Alex, Planning Board Member, Smt. Mini Sukumar, Planning Board Member, Shri. M. Krishnadas, Chairman, Municipal Chairmen's Chamber and Shri. B.P Murali, President, Block Panchayath Association extended the felicitations. Adv, Shailaja Beegum, Vice President, District Panchayath, Shri. S. Salim, President, Welfare Standing Committee, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Smt. R Parvathy Devi, PSC Member, Dr. P. S Sreekala, Director, Kerala State Literacy Mission, Smt. Vinitha. P, Chairperson, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation CDS 2 took part in the programme. Dr. K. R Shaiju, District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Thiruvananthapuram District Mission extended vote of thanks. 

Various cultural programmes were also organized prior to the function in connection with the concept of 'Sthreepaksha Navakeralam'. Along with the State Level Inauguration, District Level, LSGD Level and Ward Level Meetings were organized and everyone took the pledge of 'Sthreepaksha Navakeralam'. The first phase of the Campaign would be held from 18 December 2021 to 8 March 2022. During the first week of the campaign, discussions would be held on the topic, 'Dowry & Violence' at 3 lakh Neighborhood Groups (NHGs) and 19,542 Auxiliary Groups across the state. Various activities such as Poster Campaign, Social Media Challenge, Wall Painting Campaigns, Webinars ensuring the participation of College Students etc would be organized in the following weeks. After the first phase, the follow up activities would also be conducted.

The promo video of the 'Sthreepaksha Navakeralam' which is being organized by Kudumbashree from 18 December 2021 to 8 March 2022 has been launched at Kudumbashree State Mission, Thiruvananthapuram. Smt. P. I Sreevidya, Executive Director, Kudumbashree launched the video by presenting it to the Gender team members. The promo video includes Ms. Nimisha Sajayan, Cine Actor and the Campaign Ambassador of 'Sthreepaksha Navakeralam' Campaign. Through 'Sthreepaksha Navakeralam' Campaign, it is envisaged to take the awareness messages against dowry and violence towards women to all sectors of the society and thereby bring in a mind shift among the society and the general public.

Procession and two wheeler rally in connection with the State Level Inauguration of the 'Sthreepaksha Navakeralam' Gender Campaign was held at Thiruvananthapuram on 16 December 2021. The Procession was flagged off by Shri. V Sivankutty, Minister of General Education, Government of Kerala. The Procession started from the Museum Junction and ended at the Statue Junction. The procession was held following the covid protocol. The Campaign would be officially inaugurated by Shri. Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister, Government of Kerala on 18 December 2021. 

Shri Murugan Kattakkada, Poet, recited his poem at the programme. Around 300 people including various CDS Chairpersons from the district, Gender Resource Persons, Block Coordinators, Community Councilors became part of the procession. Smt. A Shailaja Beegum, Vice President, District Panchayath, Shri. Salim, President, Welfare Standing Committee, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Shri. B.S Manoj, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree, Dr. K.R Shaiju, District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Thiruvananthapuram District Mission and Smt. Shani Nijam, Assistant District Mission Coordinator gave leadership to the procession.

The Organizing Committee for the State Level Inauguration of the 'Sthreepaksha Navakeralam' Campaign, being organized by Kudumbashree which is scheduled to be held from 18 December 2021- 8 March 2022 has been formed. Shri. Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister, Government of Kerala would officially inaugurate the campaign, which is scheduled to be held at Kanakakunnu Nishagandhi Auditorium, Thiruvananthapuram on 18 December 2021 at 3 PM.

Arya Rajendran, Mayor. Thiruvananthapuram Corporation would preside over the Organizing Committee. A 251 member committee consisting of Corporation Councilors, representative of Women's Commission and representatives of Kudumbashree Mission is formed.

'Sthreepaksha Navakeralam' Gender Campaign was announced and the logo was released. Shri. M.V Govindan Master, Minister, Local Self Government Department and Excise, Government of Kerala has launched the 'Sthreepaksha Navakeralam' Gender Campaign and released the logo of the campaign at Press Club, Kannur on 13 December 2021. The logo of the campaign was launched by the Minister by giving the same to Smt. P.I Sreevidya IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree. Kudumbashree organizes the 'Sthreepaksha Navakeralam' Gender Campaign aiming at equipping the society to nurture social attitude against dowry, violence towards women and resist it. Shri. Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister, Government of Kerala would officially inaugurate the campaign scheduled to be held at Kanakakunnu Nishagandhi Auditorium, Thiruvananthapuram on 18 December 2021 at 3 PM.

Ms. Nimisha Sajayan, Cine Actor is the Campaign Ambassador of 'Sthreepaksha Navakeralam' Gender Campaign. Through 'Sthreepaksha Navakeralam' Campaign, it is envisaged to take the awareness messages against dowry and violence towards women to all sectors of the society and thereby bring in a mind shift among the society and the general public. The first phase of the campaign activities which would be kick started on 18 December will continue till 8 March 2022.

During the first week of the campaign, discussions would be held on the topic, 'Dowry & Violence' at 3 lakh Neighborhood Groups (NHGs) and 19,542 Auxiliary Groups across the state. Various activities such as Poster Campaign, Social Media Challenge, Wall Painting Campaigns, Webinars ensuring the participation of College Students etc would be organized in the following weeks.

In connection with the conclusion of the three and a half month long campaign, an International Conclave would be organized including the eminent personalities in Women Empowerment sector at International level. Woman Centric Action Plan would be presented based on the ideas evolved from all districts, as part of the campaign. Kudumbashree would move forward with the follow up activities even after the completion of the campaign. Various programmes such as Women Centric Discussions, Women Centric Fraternities, Women Power Congregations, Women Centric Navakerala Congregation, Gender Club formation at School, College, Ward levels etc would also be organized.

Kudumbashree Kannur District Mission had launched 'Bala Soccer' Programme for extending Football Training to Balasabha children in the district. Shri. T. I. Madhusoodanan, MLA, Payyannur Constituency officially inaugurated the Bala Soccer Programme at Ettukudukka Ground, Kankole, Alappadamba, Kannur on 3 December 2021. Kudumbashree would extend training at 9 centres. Balasabha members between the age of 12 and 18 years can make use of this opportunity. 

Kankole, Alappadamba, Narath, Chembilode, Kuthuparamba, Eranholi, Anthoor, Mayyil, Mattannur and Kelakam CDSs are selected for extending the training. The selection campaigns had already been started as part of this. 24 classes would be extended to them within 3 months. Kudumbashree District Mission would provide the training equipments, balls and would bear the training expenses as well. The training would be extended free of cost to the Balasabha members. In the first phase training would be extended to boys and in the next phase, the training would be extended to girls. The classes would be given by the trainers of the Football Association. Opportunity would be extended to 30 students each from every Panchayath. Training of one and a half hours each would be extended  to them 3 days a week. The training would be completed by 30 January 2021. A District Level Tournament would be organized after the training.

Kudumbashree Malappuram District Mission has launched 'Snehitha Gender Help Desk QR Code' to report atrocities against women and children. It functions in such a way that, on scanning the QR Code, the user would be directed to a Google Form, where the complaints against the atrocities against women could be registered within no time. The 'Snehitha Gender Help Desk QR Code' was launched by Shri. S. Premkrishnan IAS, District Development Commissioner, Malappuram during the Snehitha Coordination Committee Meeting held at Civil Station, Malappuram on 6 December 2021.

The 'Snehitha Gender Help Desk QR Code' was launched so as to publicize the services provided through Snehitha Gender Help Desk to more people, as advised by the Kudumbashree State Mission. Kudumbashree Malappuram District Mission devised  'Snehitha Gender Help Desk QR Code' as a way to collect complaints against the atrocities faced by women and children. The address of the Snehitha Gender Help Desk in the district, the phone number to contact the Snehitha Gender Help Desk including the toll free number is also mentioned in QR Code Poster. It is in addition to sticking the posters explaining the various services being extended through Snehitha Gender Help Desks and the contact numbers, the Snehitha Gender Help Desk QR Code' was launched. 

The objective of launching the QR Code is to make the reporting of the complaints easy. Usually, the closed ones of the woman or children who are aware of the atrocities being done against them, would hesitate to report the same in fear of the legal actions. Through the 'Snehitha Gender Help Desk QR Code', the family and close ones of the women and children who are facing atrocities, could report the same without disclosing their identities. Through the Google Forms, the Snehitha Gender Help Desk would get the details of such atrocities. They could cross check the same with the help of the respective Kudumbashree CDSs, ADSs and NHGs and proceed with further actions. The 'Snehitha Gender Help Desk QR Code' has already been circulated among college students, as there are married girl students studying in colleges who might be prone to atrocities such as domestic violence. The same has been circulated in other groups as well. 

The Google Form explains about the Snehitha Gender Help Desk, the objectives of Snehitha Gender Help Desks and the services being extended through Snehitha Gender Help Desks. The mandatory fields in the Google Form include the name of the person who is facing the atrocity, their Panchayath/Municipality, Address, Phone Number, the type of atrocity being faced by them (whether it is physical / mental / emotional / financial / sexual), more details of the atrocity and the needed help. The one who reports the atrocity may or may not reveal their identity and contact number. 

Snehitha is the gender help desk of Kudumbashree Mission for women to find support and solutions, when in distress. Snehitha was established in all districts to provide counselling facilities, legal assistance and short stay services to the real needy who requires care and protection. The Snehitha Gender Help Desk of Malappuram started functioning under the leadership of Kudumbashree Malappuram District Mission from 5 September 2013 onwards.  The aims of the Snehitha Gender Help Desk include helping women and children who are facing atrocities and are suffering from mental issues, extending short stay, rehabilitation support and extend survival livelihood support, activities to create a atrocity free society and equip them to live a social life that is based on gender equality and justice. The services being extended through the Snehitha Gender Help Desks include  counselling, 24 hours Tele counseling, legal assistance, medical assistance, short stay, extending mental, social support, free food, rehabilitation support, survival livelihood support through convergence, give awareness about gender equality to the general public and the activities to prevent atrocities.