Kudumbashree (കുടുംബശ്രീ; IPA: [ku.ɖum.bɐʃ.riː]; means 'Prosperity of the family'^[1]) is the poverty eradication and women empowerment programme implemented by the Government of Kerala. Kudumbashree has a three-tier structure for its women community network, with Neighborhood Groups (NHGs) at the lowest level, Area Development Societies (ADS) at the middle level, and Community Development Societies (CDS) at the local government level.

Kudumbashree was set up in 1997 following the recommendations of a three-member task force appointed by the State government. Its formation was in the context of the devolution of powers to the Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs) in Kerala, and the Peoples’ Planning Campaign, which attempted to draw up the Ninth Plan of the local governments from below through the PRIs.

Kudumbashree was launched following the 1996 People's Plan Campaign of the E. K. Nayanar-led Left Democratic Front. From the beginning, it has been functioning under the local self-government department by accepting financial support from the union government and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).

Today, Kudumbashree has 1070 CDS (Community Developments Society, 19470 ADS (Area Development Society) and 3,16,860 NHGs(Neighborhood Groups) Kerala's 46 lakh women community network, which is spread across Kerala.^[2] The Kudumbashree Mission was registered as a Charitable Society under the Travancore-Cochin Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies Act of 1955 in November 1998. The mission was officially inaugurated by Shri. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the then Prime Minister, Government of India on 17 May 1998 at Malappuram as requested by the State Government and the Mission started functioning on 1 April 1999 under the Local Self-Government Department of the Government of Kerala.^[1]

The State Poverty Eradication Mission (SPEM), popularly known as the Kudumbashree Mission is the State government's instrument for poverty eradication under the Local Self-Government Department.^[3]

The Mission has a Governing Body chaired by the Minister for Local Self-Government and an executive committee chaired by the Principal Secretary, Local Self-Government Department. The Mission is the agency that promotes and supports the Kudumbashree community network.

The Mission structure consists of a State Mission and 14 District Missions. The State Mission in divided into three divisions – Livelihood Development, Organisation and Social Development, and Systems Support.

The Kudumbashree community network has a three-tier structure. The neighborhood groups (NHGs) are the units at the primary level. The economic status of families is decided based on the standard set by the Government from time to time. The Area Development Societies (ADSs) form the middle tier of the network.

As of September 2023, Kudumbashree has 3,16,860 NHGs affiliated to 19,470 ADSs and 1070 CDSs with a total membership of 46,16,837 women. Kudumbashree membership is open to all adult women, limited to one membership per family.^[4]

Out of the total NHG members, women between 18 and 40 years of age constitute 10% only. The limitations including giving membership only to one member per family, have been a reason for this. Because of this, a greater percentage of young women failed to get directly benefitted out of the various programmes being implemented through Kudumbashree. As a solution, Kudumbashree formulated Auxiliary Groups and now the young women are offered an opportunity to become part of these Auxiliary Groups. The project aims at ensuring the social, cultural and livelihood upliftment of young women. To ensure the social inclusion of the side-lined transgender community, Kudumbashree had also started special NHGs for Trans genders and they are given an opportunity to find a steady livelihood of their own and lead a dignified life in the society.^[5]

• Kudumbashree National Resource Organisation