The Hindu Business Line : True empowerment

It is generally assumed that female literacy is some sort of a magic wand. Prof Amartya Sen (Business Line, December 20) states ’it can enhance women’s voice in family affairs, reduce gender inequality and child mortality’.

While it is agreed that a literate mother becomes a more discerning mother, the impact of female literacy in improving women’s status in the household and reducing gender inequality is at best only partial, as has been shown in various studies.

In fact, the National Family Health Survey (NFHS 3) results state that 54 per cent of women (as against 51 per cent men) feel there is nothing very wrong in wife-beating by the husband; and 59 per cent are employed women who feel so. Even amongst the educated (12 or more years), 31 per cent feel the same way.

Similarly, studies have shown that in States such as Haryana, higher literacy has actually led to greater discrimination against the girl child. It is therefore evident that female literacy per se cannot bring about the necessary changes in our system. What is required is a wholesome change in the patriarchal and male-dominated mindset of society.

Anandi R New Delhi

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