International Literacy Day is observed on September 8 to increase awareness and interest for literacy difficulties within our regional communities worldwide.
International Literacy Day was established by the announcement of The United Nations Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organization, or UNESCO, in 1966 “to notify the citizens about the significance of literacy as a matter of human rights and dignity.”
Table of Contents
History of International Literacy Day
Although much progress has been made in increasing literacy rates more than 50 years after the initial International Literacy Day, illiteracy continues to be a global problem.
There are believed to be over 750 million adults throughout the world who can’t read. The punishment of illiteracy forgives no country or culture on the planet, including the US, where around 32 million US people are illiterate.
So, what exactly is literacy? Miriam-Webster Dictionary describes literacy as “the condition or status of being literate: educated, capable of reading and writing.”
It may seem doubtful to see people living and employed in your society who not only can’t read this post, but are incapable of reading a book, a voting ballot, a restaurant menu, a prescription bottle label, a road sign, or a cereal box.
Can you think of navigating current-day life without the essential skill to write and read? Cleaning out illiteracy in each local community throughout the earth is what International Literacy Day is all about.
UNESCO declared this day with the prime aim to remind the global community about the value of literacy for individuals, societies, and communities and the call for increased efforts towards more literate societies.
Traditions of the day
Literacy is a blessing frequently taken for granted. Reading or writing is necessary for our everyday lives. Navigating over the world without reading or writing is challenging and a barrier to experiencing multiple things.
On this day, individuals and organizations take charge and practice their literacy to support and help those suffering in writing and reading. Books are freely provided to libraries, and a student’s education and training are sponsored to start their life-long success.
Institutions and international- and government organizations campaign for literacy at the primary level and organize think tanks and debate conferences to strategize and execute the best practices for eradicating illiteracy. They also organize fundraisers for the event.
By The Numbers
75% – the percentage of kids who will struggle to write or read their entire lives if they drop behind at age nine.
1 in 5 – the number of students who face difficulties from learning differences.
1 in 4 – boys who face problems from some level of dyslexia.
97% – the literacy rate among the youth in Algeria.
34.7% – the illiteracy with people aged 15 and over in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2019.
82.7% – the literacy rate worldwide for all females.
90% – the literacy rate worldwide for all males.
#1 – Andorra’s rank in the world in the highest literacy terms.
Why Literacy Is Necessary To Everyone
1. Brain health
Researches reveal that providing the brain a regular workout writing, reading, and functioning with numbers maintains brain cells healthy as we age, decreasing the odds of acquiring Alzheimer’s and dementia later in life.
2. Community participation
The absence of literary skills restricts social engagement at every age level and stops adults and kids from engaging sufficiently and contributing to the prosperity of society.
3. Powerful Communication
Knowing how to read and write enhances our skill to communicate adequately with others by improving oral language, enabling us to present our thoughts, feelings, and ideas more precisely.
4. Employment Advancement
Learning to read, write and work with numbers are essential skills for employment with chances to push up the social-economic scale.
5. Knowledge is Power
Literacy is the solution to individual empowerment and offers us self-worth and personal dignity.
International Literacy Day: All You Need To Know