First Things First: Female Literacy as the Key to Women’s Advancement
Abstract
The potential for women’s literacy to reshape the developing world remains an untapped developmental resource. This paper illustrates the positive effects of female literacy, such as increased economic security, solidarity among women, and enhanced status in the family. In addition, educated women are less likely to fall into early marriage, early motherhood, HIV infection, and street life. Mothers who are literate are much more able to run their households well and understand health education materials that directly impact the lives of their children. The second half of this paper explores some of the most effective ways of achieving increased education and literacy for women. Financial incentives prove very successful in recruitment and retention of female students. In addition, the most effective development initiatives tend to educate women with the goal of transforming them into agents, mentors, and teachers so that the legacy of literacy will extend to future generations.
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