Pranab Mukherjee on Women education: Rate of literacy among women must be equal to male literacy

Former President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday said that women literacy rate should be equal to male literacy in India and also called for bridging the gender gap in literacy.

“If the mother is educated in a household, essential healthcare problems like child mortality can be addressed,” said Mukherjee at a programme.

According to the 2011 Census reports, the literacy rate of a male in India is 80.2 percent while in the literacy rate of women is 60 percent only. The data proved that women are still lagging behind men in literacy. Former President said that the gap of 20 percent should be bridged.

Why women should be educated?

The Bharat Ratna recipient said in his speech that women’s literacy rate must be equal to the male literacy rate in India. He further added that if a man gets educated then only an individual gets the education, but if a woman gets the education then we educate a family.

"I reiterate that if women are educated, they will take care of health issues and bring basic fundamental changes in healthcare in education and a new culture will be developed among youngsters," Mukherjee said.

Former President also said that India is having a diversified culture but still Indians are united as one.

He also added, “India has one goal, one Constitution, one flag and this plurality will be strengthened by the mothers, sisters, and daughters who will teach the new generation.”

Girls from several city schools attended the 'Beti Padhao Abhiyaan' programme organized by a corporate group.

-With PTI inputs

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