A geographical analysis of gender inequality in literacy among Muslims of West Bengal, India (2001–2011)

Abstract

Muslim community is a socio-economically backward section in Indian states wherein gender inequality in literacy is a highlighting problem. This manuscript is a modest attempt to analyse geographical organization of Muslims’ gender inequality in literacy rate covering the districts of West Bengal. The objectives of this study are to measure the degree of gender inequality in literacy rate of Muslims in opposition of total population following by analysis of regional pattern during 2001–2011; to present a comparative study between Muslim and non-Muslim female literacy in West Bengal; and to identify the determinant factors responsible for low Muslim female literacy rate in West Bengal. The data for this study has been collected from Census of India concerning religion and sex wise database (2001 and 2011) and Indiastat. Coefficient of equality is adopted to draw the degree of gender inequality while GIS tool ArcMap is used for portraying regional organization. The findings reveal that gender inequality in Muslim literacy rate has reduced significantly in most of the districts of this state and the rate of reduction in Muslim majority districts is higher than other districts; and Muslim female literacy rate in majority of the districts dominates on non-Muslim female literacy rate in 2011. Although there is a trend of reduction in gender inequality in West Bengal, equality in literacy should be the prime focus to policy makers for sustainable development of future generations.