Year: 2016 | Month: December | Volume 7 | Issue 3
Gender Disparity in Literacy: Districts Level Evidence from Selected States of India
Abstract:
India is a country with high gender disparity in literacy. As per Census 2011, overall literacy rate of India is 74.04% whereas the male and female literacy rate is 82.14% and 65.46% respectively. Among all states, Kerala is on the top, where as the state Bihar is on the bottom. In addition, the northern states especially Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan also show a clear picture of gender disparity in literacy. In Haryana, male literacy rate is 84.06% and female literacy rate is 65.94% respectively. In Punjab, male literacy rate is 80.44% and female literacy rate is 70.73% respectively. Further, in Rajasthan male literacy rate is 79.11% and female literacy is 52.12% respectively. This shows the high gender disparity in literacy among these states. Despite the number of efforts made at national and state level, the gender disparity in literacy still exist in Indian society. The present study is an attempt to find out the gender disparity in literacy at district level. The study is based upon Sopher’s method to calculate disparity in literacy. The study found leading and laggard districts in terms of gender disparity in education and suggests policy implications for centre and state governments.
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