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Literacy defines more than reading and writing; it is about
having the necessary skills to communicate effectively
within society. It is about social customs and relationships,
about knowledge, language and culture. We use some form
of literacy every day of our lives - whether it is finding
it on paper, the computer screen, on TV, world wide web
and posters or signs. Those who use literacy take it for
granted. Those who cannot use it are excluded from a vast
percentage of communication in today's world. In fact,
it is the excluded that can best appreciate the notion
of "literacy as freedom."
The connection between literacy and freedom is not new.
In 1941, US President Franklin D. Roosevelt identified four
freedoms that he considered to be rights of people worldwide:
Freedom of Speech and Expression, Freedom to Worship, Freedom
from Want, and Freedom from Fear. In the same era, Ghandi
promoted the spread of literacy as a non-violent method to
advance freedom from colonization for the people of India.
The United Nations Literacy Decade (2003-2012) has pledged
a goal that people everywhere should be able to use literacy
to communicate within their own community, in the larger
society and beyond. In an interconnected world where literacy
is key to communication, exclusion takes on greater consequence,
linked as it is to poverty and disadvantage. It is a concern
for the global community because illiteracy inhibits progress
and fuels the chronic dependency of entire societies. The
problems stemming from illiteracy are integral reasons for
the continuing cycle of poverty and underdevelopment. The
risk of growing global inequalities provides a good justification
for an increased attention towards literacy, in both undeveloped
and industrialized nations.
- Global View
In 2000, one in five adults aged 15+ was illiterate.
There were about 860 million illiterate adults in the world in 2000.
If the current trend towards literacy continues, in 2015 there will
be some 800 million illiterate adults.
It is projected that by 2015, the literacy rate will have increased
to 85 per cent.
- Regional View
In 2000, about 70 per cent of the world’s illiterate adults lived
in three regions: Sub-Saharan Africa, South and West Asia, and the Arab
States and North Africa.
East Asia and the Pacific reported an overall literacy
rate of 86 per cent with an estimated total illiterate
population of 185 million.
The Latin America and Caribbean region has an illiterate
population of 39 million, or 11 per cent of the total
adult population.
- Gender Perspective
Women account for two out of three illiterate adults.
In 2000, there were 236 million more illiterate women than men and
it is projected in 2015 the difference will be 215 million.
The gender gap was more pronounced in the Arab States
and North Africa, and in South and West Asia.
Estimated world illiteracy rates, by region and by gender,
2000.
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics
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