Spatial Patterns of Gender Disparity in Literacy - A Geographical Study of Amravati District

Abstract The social and economic dynamism of a country is linked to literacy and educational development. Social transitions over time, the march toward modernization, and the flow of new ideas are interrelated with literacy and education. Education forms the foundation of development, but gender inequality often deprives women of educational opportunities. In the urban areas of Amravati district, the availability of educational facilities has resulted in the highest female literacy rate, while rural areas face challenges such as a lack of educational resources, conservative mindsets, poverty, and superstitions, leading to lower literacy rates. In 2011, Amravati tehsil recorded the highest literacy rate (81.88%) in the district, whereas Dharni (64.49%) and Chikhaladara (65.17%) tehsils had the lowest. The literacy disparity index was the lowest in Amravati tehsil (0.053) and highest in Dharni (0.140) and Chikhaladara (0.147), indicating lesser gender disparity in literacy in Amravati tehsil compared to the other two. Across the 11 tehsils, a medium level of disparity index distribution was observed. Dharni and Chikhaladara, characterized by tribal-dominated areas, superstitions, remote mountainous regions, and lack of transportation and communication facilities, have the highest gender disparity in literacy rates. In contrast, Amravati tehsil shows the least gender disparity in literacy. Amravati city, within this tehsil, has extensive educational infrastructure ranging from pre-primary to higher education across various disciplines. As a major educational hub in western Vidarbha, it has fostered progressive attitudes towards women's education, thereby reducing the gender disparity in literacy rates.