As a New Year's gift, the salary of Kudumbashree Block Co-ordinators has been increased by Rs. 5000. The salary, which was Rs.15,000, has been increased to Rs. 20,000. The salary of MIS Block Co-ordinators, who handle three sections of Kudumbashree Organization, Micro Finance and Management Information System (MIS), has been increased. The 152 Block Co-ordinators working on contract basis in 152 blocks in the state in connection with strengthening Kudumbashree activities, will benefit from this. Rs. 3.64 crores has been allocated in the NRLM Annual Action Plan for the salary hike of MIS Block Co-ordinators.

Along with the salary hike, the salary of all Block Co-ordinators working under various schemes under Kudumbashree has been unified at Rs. 20,000. Last month, the Government had decided to grant a monthly Travel Allowance of Rs. 500 to CDS members, except the Chairperson. An annual expenditure of Rs. 11.02 crores will be spent on this item for the 18,400 CDS members.

The 'Dhruva' project, jointly organized by Kudumbashree & HLL Lifecare for children in indigenous areas in Thirunelly and Noolpuzha panchayats of Wayanad district, has concluded successfully. The project was implemented for 12 holidays from 30 November 2024, involving 104 selected children who are members of the Balasabha and Bridge Course, which are part of the Tribal Comprehensive Development Project implemented by Kudumbashree in these panchayats.

The aim of the project was to create confidence in adolescents to achieve success in life by developing educational thinking, sports resistance, self-confidence and a sense of purpose through life skills development. Football, one of the most popular sports preferred by children, was selected and given expert training and an opportunity to play, through which they were observed, analyzed and linked to various concepts, thereby shaping the development of life skills in children.

The project, which was carried out by HLL Management Academy (HMA) in collaboration with Kudumbashree with the CSR fund of HLL Lifecare Limited, culminated on 28 December 2024 with friendly football matches. The matches between the Noolpuzha and Thirunelly teams in the boys and girls categories were organized at the ground of Crescent Public School, Panamaram. Mr. Junaid  Kaipani, Chairman, Wayanad District Panchayat Welfare Standing Committee inaugurated the closing ceremony by playing football.

Ms. Rejeena A, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Wayanad District Mission, Mr. Arun P Rajan, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree, Ms. Sarika S, State Assistant Programme Manager, Kudumbashree, Ms. Sukanya Isaac, District Programme Manager, Mr. Sai Krishnan T.V, Co-ordinator, Tribal Special Project, Mr. Jijo Pramod, Ms. Anjali A.S, Ms. Rakhi Mohan, Ms. Rajitha Ravi, HMA Office Bearers, Ms. Jaya, Chairperson, Noolpuzha CDS, Ms. Rajani Rajish, Chairperson, Panamaram CDS,  Block Co-ordinators, Assistant Co-ordinators, Animators and Parents took part in the closing ceremony. Certificates and medals were distributed to the children. This was followed by artistic performances by the children.

The Gender Carnival organized by Kudumbashree across the state, giving a new face and strength to women's struggles for rights and freedom, concluded with a colorful event. The Gender Carnival coincided with the conclusion of the 'Nayi Chetna 3.0 National Gender Campaign' organized nationwide under the theme 'Against Gender Discrimination and Gender-Based Violence'. The Gender Carnival organized in all 1070 CDSs under Kudumbashree concluded by presenting a modern-day vision of women who are fearlessly coming forward to respond, defend and raise their voices against atrocities. The Nayi Chetna 3.0 campaign is led by the National Rural Livelihood Mission at the national level.

 As per the specially prepared calendar for the campaign that started on 23 November 2024, Kudumbashree had organized a variety of programmes at the NHG, ADS, CDS and district levels in the last four weeks. Most of these programmes aimed at paving the way for the intellectual development of Kudumbashree members, including gender awareness and legal awareness. In connection with the Gender Carnival, an open forum organized on the topic of ‘Dowry and Women’s Rights’, on 23 December 2024 with the participation of various departments, garnered a lot of attention. Programmes such as gender quiz, debate, group discussions involving men, boys and local leaders for gender equality, honoring gender champions, nutritional food festival, and Rangashree Street Play were also held in connection with the carnival.

In the last two years, Kudumbashree has been able to perform well at the national level by taking up the 'Nayi Chetna' Campaign. In a similar manner, Kudumbashree has been able to make the campaign successful in Kerala, this time as well. The participation of 4.6 million women in the three-tier organizational system was crucial in this.

Four-Day State Level Capacity Building Training for Kudumbashree CDS Internal Auditors was held at Thiruvananthapuram from 27 to 30 December 2024. The training was initially provided to 11 CDSs selected for the 'Chalanam Mentorship Programme implemented by Kudumbashree Mission. Each CDS has two Internal Auditors.

Around sixty people, including CDS Internal Auditors, CDS Vice Chairpersons, Accountants, Mentors selected for the Chalanam Mentorship Programme, and City Mission Managers, participated in the training that was held in Thiruvananthapuram under the leadership of Kudumbashree State Mission. After the State Level Training, a three-day training will be organized at the ULB Level for 2 Internal Auditors each from the ADSs of these 11 Urban CDSs.

The main trainers of the training programme were the Mentor Core Group Members of the Chalanam Programme and selected KAASS team members. The training was organized on the basis of the manual and module prepared by the State Mission with the help of the said team. Ms. Beena E, Mr. Abdul Basheer, Mr. Sudheer. N.B and Mr. Nishad, State Programme Manager spoke about the relevance and main responsibilities of Internal Audit.

As part of the second phase of the National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM) being implemented in the state through Kudumbashree, ‘Sanjha Utsav’ NHG Fair and ‘Kudumbashree Angadi’- Product Exhibition & Marketing Food Fair is being organized from 27 December 2024 to 6 January 2025 at Kochi Corporation which is implementing the pilot project. The programme is being held at the Open Air Theatre Complex near the Fort Kochi Corporation Zonal Office, Ernakulam. The aim is to encourage self-employment and products of NHGs and small entrepreneurs.

There will be more than fifty stalls in the ‘Kudumbashree Angadi’. All entrepreneurs in the agro-microenterprise sector will bring their products to this. A food court will also be part of the ‘Kudumbashree Angadi’ with a variety of food items prepared by entrepreneurs working in the canteen catering sector and street vendors who are beneficiaries of the project. As part of the project, there will also be a video exhibition on the progress achieved in urban areas across the country. Public participation is also ensured in the programme.

The National Urban Livelihood Mission is a project implemented in urban areas by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs with the aim of eradicating urban poverty. The activities are being carried out in collaboration with the respective State Governments. The first phase of the project was launched in Kerala in 2015. The excellence of the project implemented in the state through the nodal agency, Kudumbashree, has already been recognized at the national level several times.

Entries are invited for Kudumbashree Vlog and Reels Competition Season 2. Videos on various activities implemented in Kerala through Kudumbashree, the State Poverty Eradication Mission, will be considered for the competition. The last date for receiving videos is 30 January 2025.

A video not exceeding five minutes in length should be sent to the Vlog competition. Those who come First, Second and Third will receive a cash prize of Rs. 50,000, Rs. 40,000 and Rs. 30,000 respectively, along with a trophy and a certificate. The videos with a duration of not more than one minute will be considered for the Reels Competition. The first three winners will receive a cash prize of Rs. 25,000, Rs. 20,000 and Rs. 15,000 respectively. They will also receive a trophy and a certificate. Videos should be sent on CD or pen drive to the Public Relations Officer, Kudumbashree State Mission, Trida Building, 2nd Floor, Medical College P.O, Thiruvananthapuram 695011. The cover should be superscribed as Vlog & Reels Competition.

For terms and conditions, visit the link: www.kudumbashree.org/vlog-reels2025

The winners of 'Kudumbashree Oru Nerchithram' Photography Competition Season 6 was announced. Mr. M.J. Ratheesh Kumar of Ratheesh Bhavan, Kanjiramkulam, Thiruvananthapuram won the first pace in the General Category and Ms. Anusha Mohan of Ooruvayalil House, Payyoli Keezhoor, Kozhikode (member of Lotus Auxiliary Group of Division 18 of Payyoli Municipality) won the first place in NHG/Auxiliary category. They will receive a cash prize of Rs. 25,000 each, a trophy and a certificate.

Mr. Aravindan Manali of Perumpully Thazhath House, Kanimangalam, Thrissur won the second place in the General Category. Mr. K.A. Abdul Khader of Kannan Chathayil, Thrissur won the third position. In the NHG/Auxiliary Group category, Ms. Jesna Palakkal of Kodur Pattupara, Malappuram district won the second position. Ms. Jesna is a member of the Chembakam Auxiliary Group. Ms. Gemini Benny of Kuttiyankal, Kurichikkara, Kongampara, Thrissur won the third position. Ms. Gemini is also the President of Sneha Kudumbashree NHG under Mulagunnathukavu CDS. The second and third place winners in both categories will receive a cash award of Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 10,000 each, a trophy and a certificate respectively.

Consolation Prizes: 

General Category - Mr. A.J. Rishikesh (Thrissur), Mr. Alfred M.K. (Thrissur), Mr. V.P. Gibi Sam (Thiruvananthapuram), Mr. A. Prasad (Thiruvananthapuram).

NHG/Auxiliary Group Category - Ms. Jishana. K. (Malappuram), Ms. Fathimath Soura (Kasaragod), Ms. Remeena T. K (Thrissur). The consolation prize is Rs. 2000 each.

For the first time, the competition was held separately for the general category and NHG/Auxiliary category. More than 600 entries were received in the competition. The winners were selected by a panel comprising Mr. Vinod. V (Chief Photographer, I&PRD), Mr. B.S. Prasannan (Retd. Photo Editor, Mangalam), Mr. G.  Binulal (Retd. Senior Chief News Photographer, Mathrubhumi).

To view the winning photos, click here:  www.kudumbashree.org/photography2024

Parappanangadi CDS, the urban CDS in Malappuram district is becoming a model for all other Kudumbashree CDSs in Kerala. Parappanangadi CDS has fulfilled the dream of having its own office building for all ADSs (Area Development Society or ward-level organizational structure of Kudumbashree) under the CDS. Parappanangadi CDS is also the first urban CDS in Kerala to achieve this feat.

Offices were set up for all 45 ADSs with the approval of the Municipal Council. Out of these, only five are working in rented buildings. The collective efforts of the people's representatives and ADS office bearers of each ward led the CDS to this feat. Parappanangadi is the CDS selected from the district to implement the ongoing activities of the Chalanam Mentorship Programme implemented by Kudumbashree at the urban level. It is also noteworthy that the CDS achieved this achievement as part of this.

Mr. P.P. Shahul Hameed, Chairman, Parappanangadi Municipality made the official announcement of the setting up of offices for all the ADSs at a function organized on 17 December 2024. Ms. Shaharbanu, Vice Chairperson, Parappanangadi Municipality, Mr. Suresh Kumar, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Malappuram District Mission,  Ms. P.P. Suharabi, Chairperson, Parappanangadi CDS, Ms. Rahiyanath, Vice Chairperson, Parappanangadi CDS, Mr. Reneef, City Mission Manager, Mr. Anil Kumar. S, Kudumbashree Core Mentor, Ms. Sheela. S, Mentor, Councilors, CDS Conveners, Block Co-ordinator etc. participated in the programme.

Ahead of the conclusion of 'Nayi Chetna' 3.0 Campaign, which is ongoing in the state since 25 November 2024, Kudumbashree organized a Media Workshop at Hotel Grand Chaithram, Thiruvananthapuram on 20 December 2024. Representatives of various visual, print, audio, online media & legal experts participated in the workshop. The Media Workshop envisaged sensitizing the media on Gender Discrimination and Gender issues. The workshop explained the various activities carried out in the state so far and the new projects and activities being implemented through Kudumbashree in the field of women's empowerment.

The primary objective of the workshop was to equip media professionals with the tools to address gender-based violence and inequality, and to collectively envisage new methods of implementing gender equality. The Media Workshop started with a Gender Sensitization Pledge followed by a Panel Discussion and Interaction Session with the Media Personnel. During the Panel Discussion, Dr. Sreejith, Programme Officer at Kudumbasree, emphasized that the goal of the Nayi Chetna 3.0 Campaign is to build a society where everyone is treated equally. He highlighted the various efforts of Kudumbasree which aims at sensitizing the public on gender-related issues. 

Mr. V. Palanichamy, Additional Director General - Media & Communication (Region), Press Information Bureau stressed that the behavior change toward gender equality must begin within families. He added that practicing equality at home is crucial for achieving lasting societal change. He also spoke about the importance given to education in Kerala. Adv. Sandhya, Legal Expert and Secretary of Sakhi NGO, emphasized the need for the inclusion of men in Gender Sensitization Programmes. She stressed the critical role of the media in driving gender equality and empowerment.

Important issues such as women’s safety in Kerala, dowry-related violence and suicide, and the importance of involving men in gender equality campaigns were raised and discussed during the Interaction Session. The session also discussed the need for dismantling gender roles even among empowered women and the role of children in shaping future generations' views on gender equality. The media personnel also shared their suggestions in reshaping the society against Patriarchy.

Mr. Nafi Muhammed, Public Relations Officer, Kudumbashree, Ms. Preetha G Nair, State Assistant Programme Manager - Gender, Kudumbashree also participated in the Panel Discussion. Ms. Feby D.A, Ms. Krishnakumari R, State Assistant Programme Managers and Mr. Arjun Pratap R.P., Office Secretarial Staff were also present.

A Gender Carnival is being organized in 1070 Kudumbashree CDSs in the State on 23 December 2024. This is in connection with the conclusion of the 'Nayi Chetna' National Gender Campaign, which is being organized across India from 25 November 2024 to 23 December 2024 under the leadership of the National Rural Livelihood Mission. The carnival will begin with an Open Forum in each CDS, involving people from various walks of life on the topic of 'Dowry and Women's Rights'. In addition, the Carnival will feature a variety of programmes such as a report presentation on the activities carried out in CDSs for the past month in connection with the campaign, honoring Gender Champions, and a Nutrition Food Festival. To make the Carnival a huge success, the participation of public representatives, experts from various fields, school and college students will also be ensured, in addition to the Kudumbashree NHGs, Auxiliary Groups, and Balasabha members.

The main aim of the campaign is to create gender awareness. As part of this, a number of activities have been organized in the last three weeks focusing on NHGs, ADSs, CDSs, Auxiliary Groups, 854 Gender Resource Centres, and Vigilant Groups. Key among these are classes on the POSH Act, which ensures a decent and safe work environment for women in the workplace, and training organized to form internal committees in all institutions. In addition, in collaboration with local self-government bodies, Special Grama Sabha were convened against gender-based violence, Group Discussions involving men, boys and local leaders, Gender Quizzes, Group Discussions, Poster-Hashtag-Mural Campaigns, Pledge-Taking, Street Plays, Flash Mobs and Short Film Screenings were also organized. Active participation of men and boys along with women was also visible in many places. It is assessed that all the activities were able to gain attention in public spaces.

'Nayi Chetna' is a national-level campaign organized by the National Rural Livelihood Mission from 25 November 2024 to 23 December 2024 across India. This year's theme is 'Against Gender Discrimination and Gender-Based Violence'. The camp aims to create an environment where women and individuals of different genders can live fearlessly based on their rights without facing discrimination and violence. In the last two years, 'Nayi Chetana'. Kudumbashree has been able to perform well at the national level by taking up the campaign. This year, when the campaign organized at the NHG, ADS, CDS and District Levels will be completed, 48 lakh Kudumbashree members will become  part of it.