Women's Education in India
For long, women have been denied education in order to keep them subjugated and financially dependent on the men folk in their lives. However, access to large scale education has gone on to open up doors of great opportunities and chances for them. This means that they are no longer in the subordinate role but because of the education imparted to them are able to come out of the home and hearth and take their rightful place in the world. An educated woman is certainly an asset as she can go on to educate her whole family. Also, the government and other agencies have woken up to the fact that since women make up almost half of the population they can't be not educated.
That is how education of women in India has enabled them to be able to play an active role in the economy and take part in the developments.
It is quite surprising to note that right up till the Vedic period women were given great importance and had access to education. However, the later periods showcased that the woman was relegated to the shadows and all the rights including the right of education taken away from her. But, after independence, the government stepped up great measures to ensure that women were actually getting their rightful place in the education pie. This has been so very successful that the last census has shown that almost 55% of women in India are literate. This is certainly an achievement.
The overall development of the country certainly depends on the literacy rates and progressive thoughts of women. It will certainly go on to increase the quality life of women at home and outside. It will fetch them the financial independence that will bring about great growths for them. A woman who is educated herself will also ensure that here girl child is educated and has better opportunities in life.
The government with the help of private agencies and NGOs has been trying to remove this disparity amongst women and men especially in the field of education, aiming for full gender equality.
The numbers go on to speak for themselves as the men's literacy rate is at an all time high of 75% but for women it is only at 55%.
At the same time, literacy of women has been a major concern for all governments in India and they have implemented several policies to bring it on par with that of men.
The latest steps taken for this is the government of India have assured that the girl child will have free access to education up till the +2 level. This guarantees the girl child education of the right kind without her parents having to spend a single dime on her. The education of women is certainly going to play a vital role in the development of the family, the next generation and the socio-economy of the country. It has been rightly said that you educate a girl and you go on to educate a whole family. Educating women is certainly an inspiring factor.