Literacy an urgent imperative for governments and societies

Today on 8 September 2014, the International Federation of University Women (IFUW) joins the rest of the world to mark International Literacy Day which emphasises the need to substantially improve the global literacy shortfall. First introduced in 1966 by UNESCO, the day highlights the essential role literacy plays in helping children and adults lead more empowered and informed lives. High rates of literacy within developing nations can greatly increase socio-economic bargaining power, reduce inequality and help the world’s poor to lift themselves out of the poverty trap. The theme of this year’s event is “Literacy and Sustainable Development.” As the world celebrates International Literacy Day 2014, it is critical to note that though some efforts have been made to address the issues of illiteracy, about 774 million adults, two-thirds of whom are women, still lack basic reading and writing skills (UNESCO, 2013). The lowest literacy rates are observed in sub-Saharan Africa, and South and West Asia. According to UNESCO, literacy is a human right because it is a tool of personal empowerment and a means of social and human development. Literacy is an essential step in basic education for girls and women. It equips them with essential life skills that enable them to address the challenges they face in life as well as to gain skills needed to enter the labour market, where girls and women are particularly vulnerable due to gender gaps in education and employment. As a quintessential foundation for lifelong learning, literacy is the key to transforming girls’ lives. Literacy carries a multitude of benefits, not only for girls and women but also for their communities and societies. Girls’ education significantly reduces child mortality; according to the EFA Global Monitoring Report (2013), if all women completed secondary education, child deaths would be reduced by half, saving almost 3 million lives. Girls and women who are educated are able to make decisions to improve both the lives of themselves and those of their children. Educated mothers are more likely to send their children to school than non-educated mothers; women who are able to read and write are likely to read to their children, buy their children books, and encourage their children to read. Literate women are also better able to access continuing educational opportunities, according to UNESCO. Financial literacy is key to advancement in both developing and developed world. Literacy plays a significant role in reducing gender inequality. One of the reasons for low literacy rates is cultural traditions that deny women access to education, employment and participation in their communities. Education that empowers women reduces the rate of early marriages and births (EFA Global Monitoring Report, 2013). Furthermore, literacy also enables girls and women to gain access to information, and to become aware of, and to advocate for, their rights. In sub-Saharan Africa, and South and West Asia, one in eight girls is married by the age of 15 (UNESCO, 2013). Ensuring that girls stay in school is one of the most effective way of reducing child marriage and having children at an early age. Research by the UNESCO Institute for Statistics database also shows that literacy plays an important role in shaping girls and women’s lives in that it narrows pay gaps between men and women. For example, In Pakistan, women with a high level of literacy earn 95% more than women with no literacy skills (EFA Global Monitoring Report, 2012). Each additional year of secondary education translates into 15-25% more pay. Tacking the literacy gap is crucial, especially amongst girls and women. It requires strengthening efforts to improve the quality of education all around the world. Today, on International Literacy Day, the International Federation of University Women (IFUW) appeals to all governments, international policy makers and other educational bodies to commit to immediate, concrete legislative and policy frameworks to eradicate illiteracy.

Written by Lorraine Mangwiro