UNESCO: Gender inequality in literacy a grave concern

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Gender inequality in literacy remains a grave concern for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), said the UN agency on a day that marked the 51st International Literacy Day.

International Literacy Day, conceived by UNESCO in 1965 with an aim to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies, is observed on September 8 every year.

Despite facing many challenges, UNESCO is upbeat about its various literacy programs being run across the world.

Over the years, many countries have seen great results by including regions that lack adequate access to educational opportunities within the ambit of successful literacy programs.

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A case in point is India, which has seen a significant jump in its literacy rate from 40.76 percent to 75 per cent since 1981. While the South Asian country is still the home to the world's largest illiterate population, it has been making great strides on the literacy front.

Thousands of new schools are being established at a rapid pace and free education programs are also being offered to those living in poverty. The government has also established committees to supervise education funds earmarked for literacy promotion purposes.

According to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), at least 750 million youths and adults throughout the world still cannot read and write, with a further 250 million children failing to acquire basic literacy skills. For those living in impoverished areas with little to no access to education, life can be a real struggle.

Without access to education, the prospects of moving up the socioeconomic ladder become ever more difficult for those hoping to leave behind the cycle of poverty.

In spite of some recent successes globally, significant challenges remain unresolved.

Each year, gender inequality deprives millions of women of their right to education and condemns them to lives of misery. As of today, the vast majority of the world's illiterate are women and girls.

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"This is an intolerable situation, reflecting one of the world's most persistent injustices of our times - unequal access to education," said Irina Bokova, Director General of UNESCO.

Although improving access to education for women and girls can benefit the economic growth of developing countries, education continues to be viewed in certain impoverished parts of the world as a privilege reserved for men and boys.

“There is no justification - be it cultural, economic or social - for denying girls and women an education. It is a basic right and an absolute condition for reaching all the internationally agreed development goals," Bokova added.

Increasing access to education for women and girls could also prove to be a big step in the direction of gender equality and women's rights. This requires help from both the international community and support from national governments around the world.

At the moment, the world's literacy rate stands at 84 percent. Bokova said increasing that number is much more than a priority - it is the ultimate investment in the future.

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