Projects

LOAN SCHEMES

Term Loan
Micro Finance Loan
Educational Loan
Transgender Loan
Smile Scheme

GENDER AWARENESS PROGRAMMES

BODHYAM – Gender Sensitization Training Programme for Police Personnel

The Government of Kerala has accorded sanction to KSWDC to the conduct Gender Sensitization Training Programme to the Police officials up to Sub Inspector rank in all the 523 stations of the State as a Gender Responsive Policing intervention. The foremost objective of “Bodhyam” is to make the police personnel as gender sensitive and empathetic. Bodhyam” also aims at strengthening the bond between police force and “Mithra 181” helpline in order to provide a safer environment for women of the State. For conducting “Bodhyam” effectively, the 20 Police districts have been divided into two halves. For the districts from Kasaragod to Thrissur, training will be conducted at KEPA, Thrissur while for those from Ernakulam to Trivandrum it will be conducted at PTC, Trivandrum, simultaneously. Three police officers (two male and a female) will represent each police districts in a batch. “Bodhyam” was officially inaugurated on 4^th September, 2019 at Police Training College (PTC), Trivandrum by Shri. K K. Shailaja, former Minister for Health, Social Justice and Women and Child Department. After inauguration, 6432 police personnel have successfully completed “Bodhyam” (as offline and online) till July 2021. In the current financial year it is proposed to provide “Bodhyam” to 13500 Police personnel across the state. “Bodhyam” shows a promising path ahead in moulding a Gender Responsive Police force in the State.

WOMEN CELL

Women play many roles in their lives, that of a daughter, sister, wife, daughter-in-law, mother, friend, colleague, professional and the list is never ending. With addition of roles, comes addition of responsibilities and women have to handle everything in a very dignified manner. The modern day woman is more aware of the society around her and believes in her strengths, handles her weaknesses with grace, identifies the goodness in things and is socially responsible towards her duties. If the women are provided all essential helps in their younger age itself, then they will make contributions for social, economic and environmental progress.

HEALTH & HYGIENE

MENSTRUAL HYGIENE MANAGEMENT IN KERALA [MHM]

The Government of Kerala designed and implemented a set of targeted interventions aimed at girl children to spearhead the adoption of safe and hygienic menstrual practices. At the onset of puberty, health education is provided in order to empower girls to take control of their own bodies. It is expected that targeted intervention at the adolescent stage could impact not only hygienic practices but also social behaviour of girls by removing the stigma attached to menstruation. The program will raise the confidence level of girl students, and positively impact attendance and academic performance.

Aiming at the holistic development and well-being of the girl child, The Kerala State Women’s Development Corporation Limited (KSWDC), a public sector undertaking (PSU) under the Government of Kerala, has initiated “MHM” and its component, ‘SHE-PAD’ Project to ensure that girl students gain awareness about menstrual hygiene and get easy access to free Sanitary Pads and Incinerators and provide Menstrual Awareness Classes.

SHE PAD PROJECT

In association with HLL Life Care Limited, KSWDC organized menstrual hygiene management programs in upper primary, high school and higher secondary classes. HLL Life Care Ltd. (a Govt. of India PSU) has undertaken to supply high quality sanitary napkins and incinerators to burn the used napkins. Steel Almirahs for storage of sanitary napkins are being supplied by state PSUs namely Artisans Development Co- operative Ltd, Steel Industrials Kerala Ltd. and Kerala Artisans Development Corporation Ltd. This process eliminates middle-men and unnecessary additional costs, thereby ensuring that the entire plan outlay for the project reaches the beneficiaries directly.

MENSTRUAL HYGIENE AWARENESS PROGRAMME

In association with HLL Life Care Limited, KSWDC organized menstrual hygiene awareness programs in upper primary, high school and higher secondary classes to increase awareness among adolescent girls on menstrual hygiene, to reduce stigma and unwanted beliefs surrounding menstruation and to build self- esteem and empower girls for improved school attendance and greater socialization. The awareness sessions have been completed in 975 schools at a project cost of Rs.7.5 million. In the next phase 1500 Govt schools will be covered through online platform.

SHE TOILET

The Kerala State Women’s Development Corporation Ltd, working for the upliftment of women in the state has implemented the She toilet project in the state to tackle problems of female hygiene and access to sanitation in public spaces. There are a total of 57 She-toilet units across Kerala. The very first electronic, fully automated she- toilet units offer respite to women, because there are very few public toilets around and even they are filthy and unfit for use. They are so well designed and equipped that it thoroughly caters to all sanitation needs of the women as it contains sanitary napkin vending machines and incinerators to burn the used napkins, along with self- washing and sterilization functions.

KARUTHAL – Skilling of women in Professional Care Giving

Kerala’s total population as per the 2011 census is around 3.36 crores, of which 12.6 % are aged above 60 years. According to a present study, the state’s elderly population is growing at a perpetual rate of 2.3%. Due to the advancing stage of Kerala’s demographic transition, the proportion of aged population will continue to increase through the next couple of decades. It is also noted that the number of people suffering from debilitating and incurable diseases is on the rise in the State. Diseases such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, neurological, pulmonary, cardiovascular, and peripheralvascular, end-stage renal diseases, paralysis, incapacitating mental illnesses and ailments associated with old age are few of the health issues that require long term care particularly home based care.

SKILL UPGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT

Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP)

The Kerala State Women’s Development Corporation Ltd (KSWDC) is proposed to provide Entrepreneurship Training Programmes to widows within the age group of 18- 55 years to ensure the economic development of widows by extending financial and consultative assistance to start business ventures through this scheme. Our proposed Entrepreneurship Development Programme aims to develop and strengthen the entrepreneurial quality of women and empowering them to share economic progress equitably. The programme is designed to help widows in strengthening entrepreneurial motive and in acquiring skills and capabilities necessary for playing entrepreneurial role effectively. The EDP is proposed to be organized across the State over a span of 6 months. The sessions will be handled by eminent resource persons within the State. The duration of each training programme would be 3 days and is designed for widows below 55 years of age.

KAUSHAL SE KUSHALTA – SKILL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING SCHEME OF NATIONAL MINORITIES DEVELOPMENT AND FINANCE CORPORATION

The Govt. of India had introduced a uniform skill development framework in 2009, in order to give a substantial boost to skill development of the unskilled manpower in the country by setting up Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MoSD&E) and an ecosystem which includes National Skill Development Agency (NSDA), National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and a number of Sector skill Councils. An updated National Skill Qualification framework (NSQF) was rolled out in 2015 with specific qualification packs, levels and job roles. The Sector skill councils have been assigned the role of developing curriculums in consultation with industry, conduct training of trainers and conduct certification of trained candidates. While the prime mandate of NMDFC is to provide concessional finance to the Minorities for selfemployment / income generation activities, NMDFC’s Developmental mandate also includes vocational training for the welfare of Minority Communities. Like its economic activities, the developmental activities of the Corporation are also implemented through its State Channelizing Agencies (SCAs). In order to improve efficacy of the credit programme of NMDFC, the entrepreneurial and technical capabilities of the prospective beneficiaries are to be appropriately enhanced, which may be necessary / pre-requisite for setting up/expanding of business enterprise. Thus there is need to improve their entrepreneurial and technical skills and then link them to credit.

REACH, Resource Enhancement Academy for Career Heights

REACH, Resource Enhancement Academy for Career Heights, a finishing school initiative of the Kerala State Women’s Development Corporation was launched on 29^th December 2009 with a view to bridge the gap between acquired skills and required skills for professionally qualified women. REACH is a pioneer among institutes aimed at empowering women with the required life-skills to ensure success in life. It is a professional grooming academy which works towards the social, economic and educational advancement of women, from across all cross sections of society. REACH caters to the needs of aspiring young women from different walks of life and fine tunes their talents, triggers their skills, ignites their passion and builds their confidence so that they are empowered to transform challenges to opportunities and to blossom in their full potential.

The initiative which began as an institute at Trivandrum later on spread to the Malabar region with a branch at Payannur in Kannur district. REACH has conducted a wide array of courses at these centers and has successfully placed hundreds of women in reputed firms with decent pay packages. The Institute focuses on molding competent personnel as per the current industry trends and this has given us an ever growing list of satisfied clients. The candidates are trained in a vibrant environment that nurtures creative thinking and emotional intelligence.

VANAMITHRA – Integrated Skill Development Centre for Tribal Women

The Kerala State Women’s Development Corporation with the objective of reaching out to ST Women, a marginalized section of the society proposes the setting up Day care and Integrated Skill Development Centers for ST Women, on a pilot basis in two tribal settlements in the state. These centers shall function as skill hubs aimed at upgrading the skills of ST women in various traditional/ modern vocations / trades depending upon their existing skill set, present economic trends and market potential, which would enable them to gain suitable employment or enable them to become self – employed. It is also proposed to provide maternity and child care facilities at the centers so as to support and augment its services. These facilities shall include maternity care, nutritional support for pregnant and lactating mothers, conduct sensitization and medical camps, first aid, ambulance services and provision of day care and child care facility.

WOMEN SAFTEY & SECURITY

MITHRA 181 WOMEN HELPLINE

The Kerala State Women’s Development Corporation (KSWDC) has set up a 24/7 information and emergency helpline for women in Kerala on the basis of the framework proposed by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India. The helpline creates an infrastructure of support for women at all times and for varied purposes with the principles of efficiency and continuous feedback mechanisms at its core.

The Mithra 181 WHL is designed in a holistic manner to ensure that no woman is excluded from this service. The helpline will at its best be accessible, responsive and effective in its objective of creating a safe and secure state for them. The Mithra 181 WHL will facilitate a crisis and a non-crisis intervention through referrals to the appropriate agencies such as police/ hospital/ ambulance services and other agencies. Adolescent girls, women facing domestic violence or other forms of harassment and transgender can avail the 24/7 services of Mithra 181 WHL.

SAFE STAY

Safe Stay is a flagship programme of the Department of Women and Child Development. KSWDC & DWCD aims at making available safe and affordable short stay facilities for women travellers across the State. Women(Women & Children including boys below 12 years) especially those travelling alone and who can’t afford stay in star hotels often face difficulties in finding safe and affordable accommodation while travelling for personal and professional purposes. The Safe Stay programme will provide a sustainable solution to this problem by networking to provide safe and affordable accommodation for women in the existing hostels and economy hotels all over the State. A comprehensive app shall be developed for access by women to check room availability, compare room tariff and for reservation, under the Safe Stay Programme. The project envisions increase in and improvement of accommodation and rest- in facilities for women (Women & Children including boys below 12 years) of the State. The project will be helpful for women to travel freely and safely during day and nights.

VANITHA MITHRA KENDRA – HOSTEL

Kerala, a popular tourist destination attracts tourists from all over the world. Travelling women often consider a safe place to stay as their first priority whether staying overnight or for a few days. Female travelers often have to compromise on aspects like absence of toilets, feeding rooms for breast-feeding moms and other such basic facilities. The Vanitha Mithra Kendram Project launched by The Kerala State Women’s Development Corporation assures lodging facility to women passengers while travelling in any of the 14 districts of Kerala, crèche for children and short stay facility for stranded women. The Corporation has completed the construction of its building in Malappuram district of Perinthalmanna and at Kakkanad of Ernakulam district.

The Kerala State Women’s Development has been implementing several projects ensuring women’s safety. The Corporation has always played a vital role in empowering women. Setting up of working women’s hostel provides women a safe haven, a home away from home where they can return after a long day’s work. Working women’s hostel is an initiative undertaken by KSWDC to provide safe and conveniently located accommodation for working women who need to live away from their families due to professional commitments. Currently hostels have been set up in six districts; Trivandrum, Ernakulam, Malappuram, Wayanad, Kannur and Kozhikode. The Corporation has a total number of 8 hostels to its credit.