Low Women Literacy Holding Economic Growth: PM

Noting low female literacy as a factor obstructing economic growth, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has launched a major initiative in the education sector promising all steps to empower women socially, economically and politically.

Launching the Saakshar Bharat Mission in New Delhi, the prime minister also announced setting up of a National Mission for the empowerment of women soon.

He said that the Cabinet has already taken a decision to amend the Constitution for 50 percent reservation to women in panchayats and local bodies and now Rashtriya Malila Kosh would be restructured and revitalized for expansion of the Self Help Group movement.

Observing that about half of Indian women were still not able to read or write, Singh said “a National Mission for the empowerment of women is being set up”.