The Women in CBOs

The role of community-based organisations (CBOs) in mobilising resources and collectively addressing social issues has been significant due to their well-rooted networks and influence on household units at the grassroots level. Their ability to mark their presence in the society during these challenging times and the problem-solving approach, which can be attained through proper orientation at the individual level, can be an effective tool for managing the crisis.

The CBO–Kudumbashree—which is amongst the world’s largest women’s com­munity network—played an active role in fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic (CDRI 2020). It provided a support system for the government machinery to plan and implement the initiatives during the pandemic period. The women associated with the neighbourhood groups (NHGs) of this CBO were involved in the COVID-19 management at the grassroots level, thus resulting in a twofold effect: first, these organised women (resources) at the grassroots level were effectively utilised during these critical times, and second, it ensured the reach of the support to fight against COVID-19 to the bottom level in a timely manner. These women’s groups had undergone training under the Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA) and Indian Medical Association (IMA) to facilitate the COVID-19 management activities in the state. Their services were utilised at the corona care centres, tracing the primary and secondary contacts of the COVID-19 patients, running the helplines at the local self-government (LSG) level, etc. This article is an examination of the various ways in which Kudumba­­shree as a CBO extended its support in the fight against the pandemic.