Literacy is the key for socio economic progress and it is an important indicator for human development .
The empowerment of women is one of the central issues in the process of development of countries all over the world. 9th Five year plan with its goal as 'Growth with Social Justice and Equity'.
Tamil Nadu has a glorious tradition of recognising the importance of empowering women over several centuries and the contribution of writers and social reformers has been well documented.
Education is the main instrument of transformation in any society.
The economic and social rewards to education for women are substantial.
By educating its women a country can reduce poverty improve productivity reduce its population pressure and the offer its children a better future.
The literacy rate for Tamilnadu in 2011 has increased to 80.3 % from 73.45 % among males 86.81 % literates where as among female the rate is 73.86 %.
The differences in the levels of literacy between males and females are significantly higher in rural areas than in urban areas.
The gender gap in literacy in rural areas is 16.56 % where as the literacy gap in urban areas is 9.16 %
Now government and policy initiatives are required to bridge the gender gap and it is to be given as priority for women empowerment and overall development.
Tamilnadu is one of the highest literate states and its literacy rates are higher than the national average because of lot of initiative by the Tamilnadu Government.
Periyar AVR nagamai scheme- free education scheme has been implemented in the state from 1989 to 90 to women students irrespective of caste creed and community to encourage education and to reduce dropout rate.
During 2006 and 76.5 lakhs has been allocated for this scheme and so far thousands of women students have been benefited under the scheme.
Entrepreneurship Awareness Program EAP in order to empower women, science city has been organising this EDP to bring out the talents of women and make them stand on their own and to have their own financial freedom.
To encourage the women scientists, lifetime achievement award and young women scientist award been given to women.
Self help groups or small homogeneous groups comprising 12 to 20 women from below poverty line families volunteerly organised to promote savings.
These savings will be there financial resources amongst themselves to meet their credit needs of its members.
It will also encourage self employment utilising government welfare schemes, help them to escape from the hardships and not to depend on money lenders and middlemen for there financial needs.
Empowerment is a process of acquiring knowledge and awareness which will enable them to move towards life with greater dignity and self assurance and empowered women is a most powerful instrument of change in the society.
Tamilnadu is the first state across India to achieve target fixed for sakshar Bharat program by enrolling 17.26 lakh neo literates.
"Empowering women is a prerequisites for creating a good nation. When women or empowered society with stability is assured. Empowerment of women is essential as the value systems lead to the development of a good family, good society and ultimately good nation"
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
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