Thiruvananthapuram: As part of plans to make Kerala women digitally empowered, 'Kudumbashree', the state's poverty eradication mission, has signed an MoU with computing technology giant Intel.

The collaborative initiative named 'Intel Easy Steps Programmes' is aimed at improving the social and economic self-sufficiency of women through e-literacy and digital empowerment.

The agreement was signed by Kudumbashree's Executive Director K B Valsala Kumari and Intel's South Asia Managing Director (Sales and Marketing) Debjani Ghosh.

Panchayat and Social Justice Minister M K Muneer, who inaugurated the programme, said the collaborative initiative is a major step in the e-literacy initiatives of the state.

"The project is expected to provide an opportunity for Kudumbasree members to achieve a more dignified life and livelihood. Through the 'Intel Easy Steps Programmes' they can gain digital empowerment through a structured manner and it will create them sustainable livelihood," he said.

The project will help make Kerala a complete women- digitally empowered state within three years, the minister said.

Social Welfare principal secretary Aruna Sundararajan was also present in the function.