THE IMPACT OF WOMEN’S LITERACY EDUCATION ON WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT
The importance of women’s literacy education in empowering women cannot be overstated. Literacy education is so highly valued in Nigeria, as it is in most developing countries around the world, that it is regarded as a pre-requisite for all societal shortcomings, as well as the most reliable means of empowering women and promoting national development.
Women literacy education is education provided to female children or women at various stages and in various ways (formal and non-formal). It is the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and abilities in order to become an effective member of a specific social group.
Women literacy education is a process that fosters self-esteem and promotes women’s participation in organizations and their communities, which reflects in society at large.
In terms of education, the new National Policy states unequivocally:
“The Federal Government of Nigeria has adopted education as a tool par excellence for achieving women’s empowerment and national development.” Education promotes the value and development of the individual, both for the sake of the individual and for the overall development of society. The document emphasizes that every Nigerian child, regardless of real or imagined disabilities, has the right to equal educational opportunities based on his or her ability.
As a result, education has been pursued with zeal in most parts of Nigeria. It is regarded as a factor whose acquisition raises one’s income as well as one’s social status and advancement in society.
Historically, education, particularly for boys, was regarded as a form of life insurance. Because cultural and biological factors limited girls’ access to education, their education was neglected.
The roles of women were to procreate and lactate. Women had no say in community or national development because they were considered the weaker sex. This is not an unusual occurrence in Nigeria. It is widespread in other parts of the world. Women have historically had less access to education than men.
The reason for this was that women were thought to be birds of passage who would eventually marry into other families after their training. This is why, in places like India, cousins are permitted to marry in order to keep their wealth within their families.
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THE IMPACT OF WOMEN’S LITERACY EDUCATION ON WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT