Women Education in India : If you educate a man, you educate an individual. But if you educate a woman, you educate a nation.
India is a developing economy and considered one of the largest democracies in the world. It is expanding in many areas of development, which is vital to the growth of the nation. Along with economic and infrastructural development, there is also a need for social development.
Education is necessary for the growth of any country. In India, women have traditionally been confined to household work and taking care of the family. Patriarchy is the root cause; many did not believe in educating women; instead, a female child was seen as a burden, and getting married was the only way. Another reason why families shy away from educating their daughters is the lack of safety and security. Traveling during the night and living on their own instigates fear among the families as well as the girl child. Crimes against women are on the rise, and this prevents them from receiving an education. Low income forced parents to educate only the boy child, believing that he is the only breadwinner for the family while the daughter stayed at home.
The need for women’s education goes back to times of independence. Savitirao Phule and Jyotiba Phule were advocates for women’s education and set up an institution for girls in 1848. Women were participants of the freedom struggle. The demand for women’s education has been on the rise. During the time of independence, the female literacy rate was at a meager 8.6%. According to the latest census, the female literacy rate in India is 65.5%. Though it has seen a rise, India has not met the world average of female literacy rate.
Women’s education is essential in urban and rural areas. The education of women will help to remove the social stigma that surrounds it. It is the key to eliminating social evils such as female infanticide, dowry, child marriage, harassment, etc. This will not just help the women of today but of the future generations who can live in a world where gender equality exists.
A better social status and gaining the respect of their families and peers is another reason why they must be educated. Through education, they become aware of their rights. They can contribute to the household financially and have a higher standard of living. Educating women makes them aware on taking care of their health and hygiene. Women can add to the workforce, and this contribution will reflect on the country’s economy. Empowering women helps in the development of the nation.
The government, over the years, has introduced many schemes to promote women’s education in India.
Some of the programs are:
- Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Yojana
- Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan
- Rashtriya Mahila Kosh
- Mahila Shakti Kendra
The right to education is granted to every Indian citizen. We need to ensure that learning is available for all and not just for men. Spread of Education in rural areas is vital as urban areas to empower women all over the country. International Literacy Day is commemorated across the globe, including India, on September 8th. The 2019 theme was ‘Literacy and Multilingualism.’
