Sabiya, 17, called in tears. “My father said I’ve studied enough. No women in our family have gone to college – that’s the way it always has been, and that’s the way it always will be,” she said. After reading this, what is your though? What is the role of female literacy in driving economic and social change?
Living in a slum beside a railway track, Sabiya had just passed her Grade 12 exams. Despite her hopes to attend college, financial constraints and patriarchal traditions stood in her way. Volunteers from our community – two young women themselves – teach children in her area to read, but for Sabiya, going further seemed impossible.
India’s Journey in Women’s Education
India has made significant strides in women’s education. At independence, fewer than 1 in 10 women could read in their mother tongue. Today, Indian women have ventured into space, made groundbreaking discoveries in medicine, and founded businesses that employ millions. An Indian woman’s daughter may soon become the world’s most powerful person.
Despite these achievements, challenges remain. The contradiction is evident in phrases like Beti khoob padhe, Chaand pe jae; Bas pehle chaar paratha do chai banaye – girls are encouraged to break barriers, yet they’re still bound by societal expectations that prioritize men. Sadly, one in three women in India still cannot read, making India home to the largest population of illiterate women in the world.
Role of female literacy in driving economic and social change
Educating women is essential for both social and economic progress. The saying “teach a girl to read, and you educate a nation” still holds true. Women who can read not only ensure that their children are educated, but they also tend to use their education for the betterment of their communities.
An inspiring example comes from Karauni Village in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. With support from DEVI Sansthan, 22 local women decided to make every woman in their village literate. Through their efforts, they empowered other women with the ability to read, creating a ripple effect of empowerment across the community.
The Impact of Educated Women
When women receive an education, they gain more opportunities for employment and contribute meaningfully to society. Educated women are also more empowered to make decisions in their personal and family lives, from choosing whom to marry and how many children to have, to managing household finances.
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Education also shifts the balance of power in society, breaking down patriarchal norms like those limiting Sabiya’s potential. Economically, educated women form a more productive workforce, leading to higher household incomes. This, in turn, creates a virtuous cycle, as women reinvest their earnings into their children’s education, continuing the progress for future generations.
Female literacy in driving economic and social change: A Collective Effort for Change
When women unite with a common goal, they can transform societies and renew economies. Every woman deserves access to quality education, and by working together, we can make this dream a reality. Millions of girls like Sabiya deserve nothing less.
*Name changed for privacy.
About Author: Dr. Sunita Gandhi, an internationally recognized education reformer and founder of DEVI Sansthan (Dignity Education Vision International)