Unveiling Gender Disparities in Literacy: A Case Study of Haryana, India

Abstract

The present study attempts to explain gender-based literacy differences within Haryana. The disparity in education is measured in terms of male-female literacy differentials. The differences found based on gender in the state's educational achievement are not only seen in urban areas, but the situation in rural areas is very worrying. The Haryana literacy differential in the male-female population was very high in 2001 at 18.61%, but this gap narrowed down to 13.23% in the 2011 census. This discrimination toward female literacy results from prejudice in Indian traditional society. Women's position and status are not satisfactory in society. Many social and religious bonds confined them to only domestic work and limited their access to education-related programs. For most of the parents in our society, girls' education is not of much importance in terms of economic perspective because of strong prejudice against their employment. For parents, girl education is a kind of unnecessary risk due to the present social conditions in India. The government of Haryana has formulated many policies, schemes, and provisions to improve this situation. However, this gap in literacy in rural, as well as urban areas is very prominent. However, in rural areas, the situation is even worse. This discrimination in education has several reasons behind it.