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@article{184811,
        author = {Dr.P.Pravitha and Dr.Niju P.},
        title = {EMPOWERING THE MARGINALIZED: THE ROLE OF ICDS IN SUPPORTING POOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN KERALA},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {12},
        number = {4},
        pages = {3535-3538},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=184811},
        abstract = {ICDS, which was launched in India in 1975, is the largest community-based outreach program in the world that deals with child nutrition, maternal health, and early education. Kerala's progressive model of development has incorporated ICDS as a key element. The program's impact on poor women and children in Kerala is investigated in this article, with emphasis on its historical origins, assessment of its role in tackling malnutrition and health inequalities, and evaluation of its contribution to women's empowerment. ICDS's approach to addressing structural inequalities and providing a safety net for the most vulnerable involves combining state policies, local self-governance, and community participation. Despite this, there are still challenges in infrastructure, worker compensation, and sustainability. This study highlights the importance of ICDS in Kerala's human development trajectory and suggests ways to strengthen the scheme further.},
        keywords = {ICDS, Anganwadi, Nutrition, Women Empowerment, Child Welfare, Kerala, Social Development},
        month = {September},
        }