• Sharmila Thingbaijam

Abstract The purpose of the paper is to highlight the significance of literacy in the empowerment of women, impact of literacy programmes on women empowerment and also about the women empowerment through vocational and skill development programme in Manipur. Literacy is a human right, a tool for personal empowerment and a means for social and human development. Educational opportunities depend on literacy. Literacy is at the heart of basic educational for all, and essential for eradicating poverty, reducing child mortality, curbing population growth, achieving gender equality and ensuring sustainable development, peace and democracy. Women literacy is very important and plays an essential role for the progress of the society. Through literacy, women can improve and enhance their personalities and contribute towards the progress of the society. Literacy is the basic need and condition for improving the capabilities and empowering an individual to be efficient in various fields. It is a potential instrument of individual well-being as well as social development and women empowerment is the pivotal part in any society, state or country. It is a woman who plays a dominant role in the basic life of a child. Women are an important section of our society. Literacy as means of women empowerment can bring about a positive attitudinal change. The constitution of India empowers the state to adopt affirmative measures for prompting ways and means to empower women. The increasing change in women education, the empowerment of women has been recognised as the central issue in determining the status of women. Supporting women in learning, questioning, understanding and challenging the suppression they experience empowers them, but only partially. Creating greater economic and political opportunities to contribute to families, communities and nations also contributes to empowerment. This paper explores how literacy can support women’s empowerment and the development of greater equality, benefitting not only individual women, but families, communities and economies too. It describes and reflects upon some of the most promising approaches to developing literacy and learning for women, who form the majority of the world’s illiterate adults. Key success factors are identified to inform recommendations for others seeking to support the empowerment of women.

Key words: literacy, women empowerment, literacy programme, entrepreneur, social development.

"Literacy:A Tool for Women Empowerment", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.8, Issue 10, page no.e72-e79, October-2021, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2110424.pdf

"Literacy:A Tool for Women Empowerment", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.8, Issue 10, page no. ppe72-e79, October-2021, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2110424.pdf