Literacy is crucial to improving women's lot

In reading about the United Nations World Women’s Report, I was glad to hear that some issues have been resolved or improved, such as average life expectancy and the death rate among mothers while giving birth. Buoyed by this, the UN is switching from Millennium Development Goals to Sustainable Development Goals for the next 15 years. However, it is sad that women still suffer from violence and employment inequity with men, and it is very concerning that illiteracy is on the rise around the globe, with women accounting for two-thirds of the number.

We need to work harder together to resolve this literacy problem stemming from family issues, faulty teaching methods or parental inattention. Whether it’s a matter of ensuring women wider access to education, lending assistance in practical learning to the underprivileged, or enhancing the knowledge of rights and legal entitlements, we must create the immunity that literacy allows. It is crucial in protecting women from being physically abused, exploited on the job or otherwise exploited in any way.

Sutipunt Bongsununt