More than 200 poor and illiterate women staged a rally in a central Indian town on March 4 to promote women’s education.

Sister Vinaya Thomas, a member of the Sisters of Jesus congregation that organized the rally in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh state, said the country could address many problems if its women were educated.

“Women are the torchbearers of the family and their education is a must for the strengthening of society and nation,” the nun told UCA News after the rally.

The rally ended with the women performing dances and short plays for some 500 people, including men and children. A play on female infanticide highlighted how important females are in the family and society.

Sister Alice Jacob, the congregation’s assistant superior general, urged the women to fight as a group for their rights. “When you go alone to a government office, you may be denied your rights, but go in a group and get what is due to you,” the nun said.

Sister Thomas said her congregation has been striving to help women lead a dignified life.

Geeta Patel, a high school dropout, said the plays made her realize she would have had a better life if she had continued her studies. She had to quit school because she had to find work to support her family after her father’s sudden death.

Although the Indian government has expressed a strong commitment toward education for all, India still has one of the lowest female literacy rates in Asia. According to 2009 statistics, the percentage of female literacy in the country was 54.5 percent, which means today there are at least 200 million illiterate women in India.

This not only has a negative impact on women’s lives but also on the lives of their families and on the country’s economic development. Studies reveal that illiterate women have high levels of fertility and mortality, a poor nutritional status, low earning potential, and little autonomy within the family. A woman’s lack of education also adversely impacts the health and well-being of her children.

Source: Nuns stand by women demanding an education (UCAN)

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