Recent studies have revealed the alarming fact that almost 800 million adults in the world today are illiterate, and that one of every three women in the world cannot read. Because in so many under developed areas of the world women are responsible for the majority of all food production in addition to keeping their homes and raising their children, it is incredibly difficult for those women to ever have the opportunity to achieve literacy. Women in agricultural areas typically work an average of 16 hours per day, every day of the week, to grow and prepare food, wash and to procure water and fuel for their families. In many cultures, education is forbidden to women for legal or religious reasons, and in other areas, fathers and husbands simply do not allow their women to learn how to read.
Research has also shown that literacy in women is the single largest factor in the development of small or poor countries. The fact is that even four years of education can make the difference in food production, making women’s literacy of prime importance in many global areas. While other sociological problems like war, hunger and human rights usually gain more publicity, the fact is that women’s literacy may prove to be not only more important, but also a factor in resolving these other problems. Educated women are far more likely to seek medical attention for themselves and their children, and statistically have fewer children at a much more mature age. Literate women are also able to pass on both their knowledge and their respect for literacy to their children, since they traditionally spend more time with them than fathers. It should be obvious teaching women to read would do much more than increase their employment opportunities, but also help to elevate entire communities and regions.
