As per census 2011, the literacy rate of women in India is 65.46%. This figure rightly points out the immediate measure we should take to increase the literacy of females in India. Although India has seen remarkable progress in the past few decades but it is not enough as compared to other nations of the developed world. But the question of why we need education for women is still unanswered. So, let’s unwind the reasons and understand the importance of women education in today’s world.
Here is a list of a few reasons that express the importance of female education for society
1.Promotes equality in society
Although the constitution of India has given us the fundamental right to equality, our society’s conditioning does not allow people to treat both the females and males equally. Equality as a right should be cultivated among both genders at the social, economic, and political level and this can only be possible through the tool of education. It not only makes females aware about the meaning of equality but also makes them enjoy the fruits of equality and democracy.
2.Education empowers women
Education not only promotes equality but also empowers females and makes them economically independent. Once a female is educated she can earn a livelihood for themselves and their family. An educated, successful female also becomes an inspiration for other girls in society to live their lives their way and thrive. Education is the tool that allows them to make their decisions independently.
3. Improved Health Outcomes
Another benefit of educating females is that it leads to positive health outcomes for a society
Reduced maternal mortality rate(MMR)
An educated woman has a good understanding of the importance of health and the healthcare system. They know the importance of institutional deliveries and hence prefer them. A well-educated woman does not overlook the precautions suggested by the doctor during pregnancy. All this leads to a decreased maternal mortality rate in India.
Reduced infant mortality rate
Institutional deliveries not only played a crucial role in decreasing MMR but also reduced infant deaths during childbirth. Other than institutional deliveries, an educated female also played an important role in keeping the baby safe and healthy.
Better family planning
A well-educated female understands the importance of family planning. It not only affects an individual family but also affects the country’s population in total. Uneducated females would have less understanding of the negative impact of recurrent pregnancies on their physical and mental health. Too many children would also lead to division of resources available to the family which could often lead to malnutrition among the children.
Better economic opportunities
Education opens multiple professional avenues for a female. Today females are everywhere, from running restaurants to flying airplanes to running MNCs and all this is possible due to education. Economic freedom helps them to become independent and make their life decisions all by themselves. An educated female at an individual level can also support their family financially. When seen at the national level they also become a driving force in the economic growth of a nation that further leads to an overall decrease in the poverty ratio.
Improved Social and Emotional Development
One of the best things that education offers is wisdom which further brings social and emotional intelligence to a human being. An educated female is more emotionally balanced and can handle difficult situations more calmly than others. They are efficient in weighing the pros and cons of situations and help in making better decisions in life.
Here is a list of a few factors that affect female literacy in India
- Social discrimination and favouring males over female children.
- Practice of female infanticide.
- Involving female children in household occupations.
- Higher dropout rate among females in primary and secondary schooling.
- People in India consider a girl child to be a burden as it will cost them a lot during their marriage so, to save money, they often avoid sending them to schools.
- Early age marriage is another factor that contributes to less literacy.
- Non-availability of schools in proximity.
- Lack of proper toilets in schools is another reason that affects female literacy.
We at MIT Vishwashanti Gurukul, understand the importance of female education and therefore maintain gender equality in every aspect. All our faculty encourages female students to take part in different activities so that they build a good personality. If you are a parent and searching the internet with terms like best IGCSE schools in Mumbai, or best primary schools in Pune, consider visiting our campus. Our 125-acre campus offers both the facilities of boarding and day schooling. We at MIT Vishwashanti Gurukul, believe in equality among both genders. We also maintain a balance between academics and co-curricular activities for complete personality development. To have holistic growth of students yoga and meditation are also promoted through the special classes for the students.