Women's Literacy Project

Adult illiteracy is not something that should be taken for granted, as alarming statistics reveal:  More than two-thirds of the world's 793 million illiterate adults (two-thirds of them women) are found in only eight countries and India is one of them.

Unfortunately, statistics also show that illiteracy and poor economies go hand in hand. The state of Bihar—India’s poorest—has the lowest women’s literacy rate in the nation. Values are lower in rural areas than in urban ones. In Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), a largely agricultural state, only 41.82% of its women are literate.

Education is the driving force behind strong economic and social development in today’s information society. India must then strive to eradicate adult illiteracy all together, focusing specifically on abolishing female illiteracy.

Why should this be a specific major goal for the Indian authorities? As one of the founding members of the Women’s Literacy Project says, “In India, when you educate a man you are educating an individual, but when you educate a woman, you are educating an entire community.”

The Women’s Literacy Project of Gulabgarh, a village in the district of Paddar, state of J&K was created in November, 2010 by Mr. Tashi Chering, to eradicate female illiteracy in the area.

Thanks to the generous contribution of concerned citizens from abroad, the chairman of the project, Mr. Tashi Chering, is able to rent a room, hire a teacher and purchase school supplies. So far there are about 25 female students taking time off their family and home to learn to read and write in Hindi and English and the number will hopefully increase.

Obviously, part of the effort must be centered on raising the population’s awareness regarding women’s literacy. Literacy gives women self-confidence, thus increasing their participation in decision-making processes. It heightens social consciousness and increases the chances at success of the literate women’s daughters.

A year after the project launch, awareness of the advantages of literacy has evidently grown. What is more, the students’ children are thrilled with their mothers’ desire for self-improvement and their increased self-esteem. Simple, but inspiring success stories speak for themselves:

Before the project began, one of the students was helping out at her husband’s shop. Now that she is able to read, write and do basic arithmetic, she has set up her own small business. Still another woman told the project chairman how delighted she was now that she is able to read signs to guide her through the hospital, when visiting a sick family member.

Endeavors such as the W.L.P. Gulabgarh lend support to government initiatives by introducing personal, focused actions in remote rural districts. Women who learn collectively can begin working collectively towards becoming a vital force in the growing economic and technological power that is India.

Your support can keep this project going. Please help the women of Gulabgarh to improve their role in society and put an end to gender-based discrimination. For more information contact Mr. Tashi Chering at lonpoadv@gmail.com or visit his webpage at http://www.lonpoadventures.com

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