The importance of literacy for girls  

Many girls face barriers to education, literacy and equal opportunities. These include poverty, gender norms, and safety risks. Without literacy, girls have less independence. They have lower confidence, and fewer life choices. Teaching girls to read and write gives them safety and independence. It enables them to shape their futures.

Why literacy matters for girls

Literacy is important for girls. It opens doors to opportunities, offers protection, and provides them with agency. Literacy equips girls with skills and confidence. This helps them shape their own lives and believe in their potential. The benefits of this extend across generations. 

Being literate enables girls to:   

• Stay in school longer, improving future earnings and job options  
• Make informed health decisions, reducing maternal and child mortality  
• Delay early marriage and pregnancy, lowering risks of violence and exploitation  
• Participate in society and economic life, strengthening families and communities 

Literacy Is a fundamental right

Literacy is widely recognised as a fundamental human right; however, it is not a standalone right. Rather, it is included in the right to education. Here are some of the international laws that support the right to education:  

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), Article 26: affirms the right to education. Literacy is a core outcome of exercising that right.  

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966), Article 13: requires education to enable people to “participate effectively in a free society.” Without the ability to read or write, people cannot exercise this right.   

Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), Articles 28–29: recognises every child’s right to education, including literacy.  

Without literacy, people can’t fully understand, claim, or use many basic human rights.  

Literacy rates around the world, progress, inequality and urgent needs 

Literacy has improved around the world in recent decades.[1] This progress has been especially notable since leaders embraced the Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) on education and lifelong learning.   

Adult literacy rates increased from 86% to 88% between 2015 and 2024. The youth literacy rate (ages 15-24) hit 93% in 2024, surpassing the adult rate. This improvement comes from expanding basic education for children. Since 2015, 110 million more children and young people are in school - the highest number in history.  

However, at least 739 million people still can’t read or write. girls and women are affected the most, with women making up about 63% of illiterate adults. 

Progress is also uneven. Regions like Central and Southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa still have lower literacy rates and bigger gender gaps than Europe and North America. Inequality exists not only between regions but also within countries. This is especially true for the poorest, rural, and marginalised groups. 

We need urgent action to ensure everyone can access quality education. This means keeping girls in school and promoting lifelong learning. These steps are crucial to achieving global education goals. 

The barriers girls face in accessing education and literacy

Girls face multiple, interconnected barriers to education and literacy. These include social and cultural norms, as well as economic constraints. These barriers can stop girls from enrolling or cause them to miss school. They can even lead to them dropping out - especially during adolescence. 

Economic challenges such as needing to pay for school fees, uniforms, and supplies hit girls hardest. They also face expectations to contribute to household duties or income. Social and cultural norms, such as gender stereotypes and early marriage, further limit girls’ opportunities to learn and pursue their potential.   

School environments can also be barriers. They may lack safe transport to and from school. They might also lack proper facilities, like separate toilets. Or free menstrual products so that girls don't miss school because they have their period. Conflict and the impacts of climate change can also make attending school more difficult Additionally, harassment can create an unsafe atmosphere for girls. 

Cultural and religious norms

Cultural and religious norms can affect whether girls go to school. This can influence their literacy levels. It also affects their chances for learning throughout life. Norms can include:    

Prioritisation of boys’ education. In some societies, people value boys' education more than girls'. This leads families to invest less in girls’ education.  

Early marriage and childbearing. Girls who marry young often cut short their schooling. They complete fewer years of education than their peers who marry later. A similar pattern can occur for girls and adolescents who become pregnant. Pregnancy may lead to early marriage or force them to drop out of school. In households living in poverty, marriage is a way of securing their daughter’s future. And in some cultures, parents receive a dowry or bride price for their daughter. This practice provides them with more financial security.  

Gender roles and household responsibilities. Cultural expectations can push girls to focus on housework or caring for family. This often cuts into their study time and school attendance.   

Restrictions on mobility or mixed-gender settings. In some religious or cultural settings, girls might not be allowed to attend school or be in mixed classrooms. This limits their access to education. 

Poverty

Poverty is a major barrier to girls’ literacy. It affects both access to and quality of education. When resources are tight, families often choose to prioritise boys’ schooling. Costs like school fees, uniforms, books, and transport can stop girls from enrolling or make them miss school often. 

Girls may be expected to handle household tasks, care for younger siblings, or help with family income. This leaves them little time for studying. Poverty can lead to early marriage, which disrupts education and limits literacy and lifelong learning. Even when girls attend school, poor nutrition, lack of healthcare, and bad living conditions can affect their ability to learn well.

The impact of literacy on girls and women

Literacy profoundly impacts girls and women, changing their lives in many ways. When girls can read and write, they can stay in school longer. This lets them pursue higher education and find better jobs. As a result, they gain more economic independence and can earn more over their lifetimes. 

Literacy also leads to better health. Women who can read understand nutrition better and access health services more easily. They can make informed choices about family planning. This helps reduce maternal and child mortality. 

Literacy empowers women to participate in civic life. It betters their ability to advocate for their rights and take part in community decisions. This strengthens social and political inclusion. It also delays early marriage and pregnancy. Thus, allowing girls to keep learning and planning their futures. Literacy equips girls and women with knowledge, confidence, and agency. It breaks cycles of poverty. Its benefits extend across families and communities.

Economic impact

Literacy has a significant economic impact, both for individuals and for society. Being literate helps people get better jobs, earn more money, and grow in their careers. This is especially true for women, who often face pay gaps and limited job options. Literate women are more likely to start businesses, join the workforce, and add to household income. This helps reduce poverty and enhances family well-being. 

For society, higher literacy rates boost national productivity and economic growth. A skilled and educated population is better able to innovate. It can adopt new technologies, and participate in the economy. Economies with lower literacy rates face higher unemployment or underemployment. There is a reliance on informal or subsistence work.   

UNESCO estimates that each extra year of schooling can boost a person's earnings by about 9%.[2] Countries that close gender literacy gaps can also see clear gains in Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This happens as people earn more, spend more, and pay more taxes.   

Social impact 

Literacy has far-reaching social impacts for individuals, families, and communities. For girls and women in particular, it:  

Empowers participation in society. Girls and women who can read and write can engage in civic life. They understand their rights and can vote. They're able to advocate for themselves and their communities.   

Improves health and well-being. Literacy enables access to health information. It aids in understanding sexual health and reproductive rights. Also, it supports informed choices about nutrition, family planning, and childcare.

Reduces gender inequality. Literate girls are more likely to delay marriage and childbirth. They may challenge gender stereotypes and discriminatory norms. And they are more likely to pursue leadership roles.  

Strengthens families and communities. Mothers’ literacy positively affects children’s education, health, and development. This creates intergenerational benefits.    

Enhances social cohesion. Literacy supports communication. It allows understanding of social norms. It also enables participation in community decision-making. 

Health impact 

For girls and women in particular, literacy has a powerful impact on health. Those who can read and write can access, understand, and use health information. This leads to better personal and family well-being. 

Some key impacts of literacy on health, include:   

Better maternal and child health. Literate women are more likely to seek pre and postnatal care. They are also more likely to follow vaccination schedules and use safe feeding practices.    

Informed health decisions. Literacy enables understanding of disease prevention, nutrition, hygiene, and family planning. 

Reduced child mortality. Studies show that the children of literate mothers are healthier. They are also more likely to survive infancy and early childhood.[3] 

Better public health outcomes: communities with higher literacy rates adopt preventive behaviours faster and respond more effectively to health crises. 

How literacy transforms girls’ lives 

Literacy empowers girls to learn, make choices, and shape their futures. It opens doors to education, health, and equality. 

Financial independence 

Literacy is key to financial independence, especially for girls and women. It helps them gain skills, access information, and engage fully in the economy.   

Being literate allows women to:  

Enter the workforce. Being able to read and write is essential for formal jobs and professional training.  

Earn higher wages. Literate women can seek higher-paying jobs and grow in their careers.  

Manage finances. Reading, writing, and numeracy skills allow women to budget, save and invest. They allow understanding of contracts or loans.    

Start businesses. Literacy enables women to be entrepreneurs. It lets them keep financial records and understand regulations. It can help them market their business.  

Break the cycle of poverty. Financial independence lets women support themselves and their families. It allows them to invest in their children’s education. And it can build long-term economic security. 

Health and confidence 

Literacy transforms the lives of girls and women by improving health and self-confidence. Literate girls and women can find, understand, and use health information. From nutrition and hygiene, to sexual and reproductive health. By doing so, they lower the risks of disease, early pregnancy, and maternal or child mortality. This knowledge gives them the autonomy to make informed choices. For themselves and for their families. The benefits for future generations are long lasting. 

At the same time, literacy builds confidence and agency. Being able to read, write, and engage with information empowers women. They can voice their opinions and take part in civic life. They can also challenge gender norms that hold them back. Literacy fosters a sense of autonomy. Literacy fosters a sense of autonomy, encouraging women to pursue education, jobs, and leadership roles. 

Better family planning and management 

Literacy gives girls and women the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make informed decisions about family planning. Girls and women who can read can understand information on contraception, reproductive health, and pregnancy spacing. This helps them decide if and when to have children. This knowledge reduces unintended pregnancies. It improves maternal and child health and allows girls and women to pursue education or work.  

It also helps them manage their household. They can budget, track expenses, understand contracts, and navigate banking or savings systems. This improves the family’s economic stability. Literate mothers are also better able to support their children’s education. 

Giving girls and women a voice and platform 

Being able to read and write lets girls and women share their views, fight for their rights, and take part in public life. Literacy helps them join community decisions and social activities. It gives women a chance to shape policies that impact their lives. 

Literacy helps girls and women access media, legal resources, and digital tools. This connection opens up wider networks for support and advocacy. Their voices can also be amplified beyond local areas. It also boosts confidence. This helps girls and women speak up, challenge unfair norms, and take on leadership roles. 

Benefits of supporting girls from a young age  

Supporting girls from a young age has profound and lasting benefits for individuals, families, and societies. These include:  

Improved education outcomes. Early support increases the chance of going to and staying in school, and literacy. This lays the foundation for lifelong learning.  

Better health. Girls with access to education and resources are more likely to:  

• Adopt healthy behaviours  
• Understand consent  
• Delay marriage and pregnancy  
• Reduce maternal and child mortality 

Economic empowerment. Literacy and education help girls find better jobs. They also support entrepreneurship. This leads to financial independence later in life.  

Confidence and agency. Literacy boosts self-esteem, builds leadership skills, and improves decision-making. This helps girls take part fully in social and civic life.  

Intergenerational impact. Educated girls are more likely to raise healthy, educated children. This starts a cycle of opportunity and social growth. 

Societal growth. When girls get support to enrol and stay in school, it helps society. It boosts literacy. It reduces poverty. It also improves gender equality. 

FAQ’s 

Which countries are closing the literacy gap for girls? 

UNESCO’s data (2016) on youth literacy (ages 15 -24) reveals that a large number of countries have achieved gender parity in literacy.[4] Countries that have made major improvements in access to education for girls and have made the most progress in closing the literacy gap, include: 

• Algeria 
• Cabo Verde 
• Cambodia 
• Malawi 
• Oman 
• Rwanda 
• Uganda 

What support do girls need to stay in education and continue learning? 

Girls’ ability to stay in education and continue learning is dependent on a mix of factors. Girls stay in education when they have: 

• Financial support 
• Safe schools (including safe transport to and from school, separate toilets and zero tolerance for harassment) 
• Menstrual and health support (free period products and safe toilets) 
• Protection from early marriage and pregnancy (including access to sexual and reproductive health education) 
• Engaging, high-quality teaching (including encouraging girls to study STEM subjects — science, technology, engineering and mathematics) 
• Encouragement from families and communities (including mentoring, clubs and peer networks) 
• Flexible pathways when life interrupts schooling (for example, in emergencies or refugee settings) 

What country has the lowest literacy rate for girls? 

The country with the lowest literacy rate for girls aged 15 and above is Chad. In 2021, only 38% of girls completed primary school and 14.1% completed secondary school. The rates for boys are higher, but still low with 49% of boys completing primary school and 24.2% completing secondary school. According to UNESCO figures (2022), less than a third (27%) of adults in Chad can read and write. [5] 

What country has the highest literacy rate for girls? 

According to GlobalData, Taiwan had the highest literacy rate of girls, aged 15 and above, in the world - at 99.99%. Estonia followed at 99.98% and Italy at 99.97%. This is based on the latest data from 2021.[6] 

References

[1] UNESCO – International Literacy Day 2025 

[2] UNESCO – Global Education Meeting 

[3] PRB – Mothers' Reading Skills Linked to Improved Child Survival and Student Achievement 

[4] UNESCO Institute for Statistics - Literacy Rates Continue to Rise from One Generation to the Next 

[5] Guiness World Records – Lowest literacy rate 

[6] GlobalData - Countries with Highest Female Literacy Rate in the World in 2021