HYDERABAD: Speakers at a seminar called for urgent steps to unify efforts of the government, NGOs and private sector to improve literacy as the literacy rate in Sindh particularly among rural women, trailed at just 51pc behind the overall national rate of 62.3pc.

They were speaking at a seminar organised by the Sindh Community Foundation (SCF) in collaboration with its partner organisations on the eve of International Literacy Day here on Saturday.

SCF’s Javed Hussain noted that Pakistan’s literacy rate stood at 62.3pc, with Sindh, particularly its women, trailing behind at just 51pc. Urgent steps were needed for a unified effort by the government, NGOs and private sector to improve literacy rate, particularly among rural women, he said.

He praised 438 women cotton workers from 14 villages of Matiari district who completed recently a six-month literacy program at Suhaee Literacy Centers, and stressed the importance of adult education, urging the government to resume programs for empowering more women with essential reading and writing skills.

Women’s rights activist Ms Shahnaz Sheedi, labour leader Taj Marri and additional director of social welfare department Matiari district, Rafiq Jamali, pointed out transformative impact of literacy on confidence and empowerment, particularly in negotiating fair wages and better working conditions.

Ms Naseem Mallah, a cotton worker who participated in the literacy program, shared her experience, saying that earlier she could not even write her name or note time in a clock. But now, she said, she could tell the time and write her name.” The literacy classes gave her confidence to advocate fair wages and labour rights, she said.

Ms Hira Arain and Ms Zubaida Turk of SCF expressed resolve to expand literacy program to more villages in the district. They noted that positive impact on the lives of women cotton workers, who passed previous programs, and highlighted the program’s success in equipping women with basic literacy skills and empowering them in their personal and professional lives.

Published in Dawn, September 8th, 2024