Our new page on the IWD website

The WLP has created it's own page on the website dedicated to the International Women's Day 2012. This news story may have taken a bit too long to appear on our blog, but as the WLP's struggle for women's literacy is not limited to March 8th, we thought today was as good a day as any to share it with you. You can visit our page here:  http://www.internationalwomensday.com/womensliteracy

And we're sure you'll enjoy viewing the slideshow created by Thomson Reuters to mark the occasion of the 2012 IWD. It's packed with images of extraordinary, ordinary women from across the globe.

WLP bylaws

The project members are now working--and just about finished--on the WLP bylaws. As part of its mission, the organization aims to develop activities and design special actions to uplift, encourage and motivate the illiterate women of the most remote and underdeveloped areas of Paddar.

In order to achieve its goals, the WLP will focus on shifting the attitude of the community of Paddar from a heightened awareness of the crucial issue of women’s literacy, towards a commitment to help eradicate female illiteracy and finally towards assuming a more pro-active role in this effort. 

Encouraging lifelong learning among the illiterate female population of Paddar is another key issue that the WLP will address.

In the future, the project will further strive to empower the women of this rural area and reduce gender inequality through digital literacy. The WLP firmly believes that by equipping these women with the skills needed to become digitally literate, the society aspires to help bridge the great digital divide that exists between rural and urban India.

UN spotlights the empowering effect of boosting women's literacy

The video is from 2010. Unfortunately, women's literacy continues to be a crucial, unsolved issue in 2012.

Giving meaning to consumerism

A group of women from Gulabgarh—among them students of the W.L.P., accompanied by the project chairman—have set up a stand to exhibit their handcrafted designs at a 10-day-long craft fair in Jaipur, organized by the Rajasthan Rural Non-Farm Development Agency in association with the Indian Council for Cultural relations (ICCR). Craftsmen and craftswomen from 18 different Indian states signed up to participate in the event held at Jawahar Kala Kendra.

A growing awareness of the value of their traditions, culture and know-how are what led these women to set up a stand at the Jaipur fair. Back in their village, selling their hand knitted socks and other crafts will also help them to complement the family budget.

We hope that the W.L.P. has contributed in some way to the women’s appreciation of what they are able to design and create and in increasing their entrepreneurship and sense of worth.

The Gulabgarh group’s participation in the fair also demonstrates what initiatives such as the “comercio justo” (fair market) and others have shown: that it is possible to reconcile solidarity with consumption.

About Us

Perhaps you've been wondering how this project works, who funds it, how you can help? Well, now you can download our "About Us" newsletter with lots of information about the W.L.P. and about what you can do to help this education initiative to continue.

AboutW.L.P_English

Why focus our efforts on increasing female literacy?

We'd like to share an insightful quote with you:
"When people are able to believe that they can improve their lives through their own efforts, when they realize that some newly created opportunity is denied to them by illiteracy, then they will learn how to read, write and count."

Edgar Owens And Robert Shaw, Development Reconsidered: bridging the gap between government and People

Illiteracy in India

Interesting article published on "The Viewspaper" website.

Image source: The Viewspaper.net