JAIPUR: Rajasthan has the biggest gender divide of 23.2% in terms of literacy rate across the country, making it one of the most gender unequal states.
The National Statistical Office (NSO) report released in January says the literacy rate among males in the survey year (2017 and 2018) was 80.08%, while for females it was 57.6%. The literacy rate of females in the state is the second-worst in the country.
The census data of 2001 and 2011 says literacy levels in the state have jumped from 60.40% to 66.11%.
Women have registered a major jump from 43.90% to 52.12% while men have recorded a slight rise from 75.70% to 79.19% in the same duration.
“The major concern here is the huge gender gap at the level where we are assessing people on simple reading, writing and maths. It is evident that girls are facing discrimination when it comes to education right from primary level. It has come at a time when governments have moved to the next level and working hard on improving the gross enrolment ratio of females in schools, colleges and universities,” said Rashmi Jain, head of the sociology department, Rajasthan University.
She pointed out that tackling the problem by merely framing progressive policies and schemes is not enough. Government efforts such as 'Prodh Shiksha Abhiyaan' in the 90s and 'Saksharata Abhiyan' have reached their limits. “The time has come to challenge the mindset of people towards educating girls. Communities and blocks where the rate of literacy is low have been identified for years. It's time to intervene by communicating with these communities by providing perks and engaging socio-religious leaders,” added Jain.
The 2011 Census figures say female literacy was worst in Jalore and Sirohi with 38.47% and 39.73%, respectively. The worst performing block for the same reason was Kotra in Tonk with a 16.49% literacy rate of females.
