A Study of Kerala Self Help Group and Its Impact on the Human Development Index at the Grass Root Level

Abstract

The Government of Kerala launched Kudumbashree with the support of the Government of India and NABARD for targeting poverty eradication from the state. Kudumbashree aims at the empowerment of women, giving them the central place in the programmes meant for their benefit. The research paper investigates the change in the human development index in the three districts of Kerala (Kannur, Ernakulam and Trivandrum) after joining Kudumbashree a self help group. Kudumbashree aims at the empowerment of women, giving them the central place in the programmes meant for their benefit. Kudumbashree has tried to bring every poor and dependent woman in the state within its fold.  We have undertaken a literature review and Statistical techniques of Paired Sample Non parametric T Test (Wilcoxon Test) to find out the impact on family's standard of living after joining the self help group. The approach drives the researchers to study various aspects and correlate variables. To the researchers, this survey has significant insights into identifying the variation in the human development index of the families of the women after joining the self help groups.