Thiruvananthapuram/Bengaluru: Kudumbashree, Kerala's programme for women's empowerment and poverty eradication, donated Rs 7 crore on Wednesday to Kerala Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF). They handed over the cheque to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Kudumbashree was drafted and enforced by the State Poverty Eradication Mission of the Government of Kerala.

Two lakh Kudumbashree workers have come forward for rescue operations, and 1 lakh workers have cleaned public places across the State. 

Kudumbashree consists of a three-tier structure with Neighbourhood Groups (NHGs) as primary level units, Area Development Societies (ADS) at the ward level, and Community Development Societies (CDS) at the local government level. It is one of the most extensive network of women.

While the community network is formed around the central themes of poverty eradication and women empowerment, its main characteristics include democratic leadership and support structures built from the ‘Kudumbashree family’.

Earlier, the Kudumbashree Mission took up the issue of transgenders in the past. The mission has made as many as 21 exclusive neighbourhood groups that included 274 transgenders.

The fund has been raised from the one-week savings of thousands of Kudumbashree workers (Ayalkoottams) in the State based on the request of the Executive Director S Harikishore. Apart from these, the Ayalkoottams have personally contributed to the relief fund and mobilised fund allotted for Onam celebrations. 

"Cherukkunu Branch of Kudumbashree in Kannur has donated Rs 1 lakh to CMRDF and we have also given relief materials separately to the needy," said Mini Sajeevan, a worker of Cherukkunu Kudumbashree branch.