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Sreesakthi Web portal for Women Empowerment

On a larger context, the concept is derived for sharing, creating and managing knowledge for development. The multiple memberships acquired through different roles in the network have certainly demanded an interface with new technology. Model practices the members of Kudumbashree initiate, the experiences they have in the field and the qualitative data that emerge through different activities needs to be documented. In Toto, Sreesakthi materializes as a knowledge hub for women in grass root.

Specific to Gender Self Learning Programme (GSLP), the portal enables the learning process to enter a higher plane. Complete module development process would be web based. The lecture series conducted in the districts can be supplemented by the online discussion forums. It enables to grasp more and varied ideas, thoughts and practices on a single concept. Creation of technical resource pool within the network provides unlimited scope for taking on information technology to the last person in the grass roots. Developed with the support of the Centre for Development and Advanced Computing(C-DAC) and the Department of Information Technology, Government of India, the Sreesakthi web portal has been put up to help make the GSLP a productive and successful initiative. This portal provides a useful venue for discussing issues and ideas, creating modules, collating programme reports, clearing doubts, and, most importantly, helping women become computer and technology savvy.

This interactive cyber space for exchange of experiences and views on gender-related issues has ignited enthusiasm among grassroots gender activists as well as the public. One of the latest postings has been by Dr.M.K.Muneer, Minister in charge of Kudumbashree, which has enlivened the debate on gender and mobility.

GSLP initiative in Kudumbashree

Kudumbashree, the Poverty Eradication Mission of Kerala Government, initiated in 1998 and currently having 38 lakhs members in 2,14,229 Neighbourhood Groups, federated into 19,773 Area Development Societies (ADS) and 1072 Community Development Societies (CDS), has turned the largest social movement in the country. Women empowerment through economic and social development has been Kudumbashree’s programmatic focus. Thrift, credit and IGP were the initial programs promoted by Kudumbashree Mission. But it dawned on the Mission that livelihood programs alone cannot guarantee the full empowerment of women.

The objectives of the learning process are to •	convey the messages of women’s status, rights, equality and justice •	enhance the platform for participation in local development •	initiate women to have access and control over assets •	equip women against domestic violence and to strengthen the network beyond collectivization. The web forum provides space for women and all concerned with gender issues to share their experience, express their views, exchange information and seek counsel on important issues of life. Neighbourhood Groups can report the conclusions of their group learning sessions. Thus the portal promotes a community learning process.