The Hindu Business Line : Female literacy

This is with reference to the article “Amartya Sen calls for accountability in public healthcare services” (Business Line, December 20). It is assumed that female literacy is some sort of a magic wand that “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 shown in various studies.

In fact, according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3), 54 per cent of women (as against 51 per cent men) are agreeable to wife-beating by the husband; and 59 per cent are employed women who feel so. Even among the educated (12 or more years), 31 per cent are in agreement. Similarly, studies have shown that in States such as Haryana, higher literacy has 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 mind set” of society.

Anandi R e-mail

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