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Women's Social Capital and Social Cohesion in Kerala: The Case of Kudumbashree

Author

Listed:
  • Sheetal, Bhoola

    (The University of Zululand)

  • Dasarath, Chetty

    (Durban University of Technology)

  • Jos, Chathukulam

    (The Centre of Rural Management)

  • Nolwazi, Ngcobo

    (The University of KwaZulu-Natal)

  • John, Moolakkattu

    (Mahatma Gandhi University)

Abstract

This paper examines the claim that the Kudumbashree women of Kerala, built around microfinance but now a key actor in Kerala’s economic, social, and welfare landscape, constitute a form of social capital and contributes to social cohesion. The study is based on desk research based on the existing studies supplemented by interviews with key informants and focus group discussions. An overview of Kerala’s society and politics, the rise of inclusive neighbourhood movements as precursors of the Kudumbashree and the functions that the poverty-focused and state-initiated Kudumbashree women’s program is discussed. It then discusses the communal situation in Kerala and how stiff competition between the dominant communities have operated without violence and how the sporadic communal conflicts are contained through accommodation and public disapproval. It then concludes with a critical assessment of the role of Kudumbashree as a form of social capital primarily and as a force for social cohesion.

Suggested Citation

  • Sheetal, Bhoola & Dasarath, Chetty & Jos, Chathukulam & Nolwazi, Ngcobo & John, Moolakkattu, 2024. "Women's Social Capital and Social Cohesion in Kerala: The Case of Kudumbashree," Journal of Economic and Social Development, Clinical Journals Press, vol. 11(02), pages 01-12, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:ris:joeasd:0010
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Katherine Rankin, 2002. "Social Capital, Microfinance, and the Politics of Development," Feminist Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 8(1), pages 1-24.
    2. Chathukulam, Jos & Tharamangalam, Joseph, 2021. "The Kerala model in the time of COVID19: Rethinking state, society and democracy," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    3. Kadiyala, Suneetha, 2004. "Scaling up Kudumbashree collective action for poverty alleviation and women's empowerment," FCND briefs 180, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    4. Luca Andriani & Asimina Christoforou, 2016. "Social Capital: A Roadmap of Theoretical and Empirical Contributions and Limitations," Journal of Economic Issues, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 50(1), pages 4-22, January.
    5. Glyn Williams & Binitha V. Thampi & D. Narayana & Sailaja Nandigama & Dwaipayan Bhattacharyya, 2011. "Performing Participatory Citizenship -- Politics and Power in Kerala's Kudumbashree Programme," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 47(8), pages 1261-1280, July.
    6. Woolcock, Michael & Narayan, Deepa, 2000. "Social Capital: Implications for Development Theory, Research, and Policy," The World Bank Research Observer, World Bank, vol. 15(2), pages 225-249, August.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Women; Kerala; Kudumbashree; Social Capital; Social Cohesion;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A11 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Role of Economics; Role of Economists

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