On the occasion of the International Literacy Day, United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) issued a press release here Wednesday revealing that more than 4.5 million women in Nepal still cannot read and write, keeping many of them marginalised and poor.

In Nepal, literacy remains an elusive target despite widespread efforts to address the issue. Worldwide, some 759 million adults lack minimum literacy skills, one in every six adults is still not literate and women make up two thirds of the world’s illiterate population. In Nepal, 6.4 million men and women are still illiterate and women represent close to three quarters of this figure.

Axel Plathe, Head of the UNESCO Office in Kathmandu and UNESCO Representative to Nepal said: “In Nepal, many women live in deep poverty due to a lack of access to basic reading and writing skills. UNESCO helps the government and other partners in the country in promoting literacy through a variety of activities including supporting literacy programs in mother tongue and strengthening capacities to provide literacy programs.”

In Nepal, as in many other countries, International Literacy Day, that is celebrated this year under the motto: “The Power of Women’s Literacy” will highlight the highly influential role literacy plays in empowering women to dramatically change their lives for the better.

UNESCO joins Nepal in observing this year’s Literacy Day through supporting various activities such as writing competitions for neo-literates, rallies, talk programs, the preparation of wall newspapers and street dramas, which all help promote women’s literacy, together with Non-Formal Education Centers, Community Learning Centers and NGOs nationwide.

First proclaimed by UNESCO in 1965, the first International Literacy Day was celebrated on Sept. 8, 1966. Through this day, UNESCO reminds the international community of the status and challenges of literacy and adult learning globally.