International Literacy Day – September 8

Minister's Message

International Literacy Day is our opportunity to recognize the importance of literacy so that every individual can reach their full potential. We celebrate the progress made as literacy rates have improved in all regions of the developing world, but much more work remains to achieve the results we all strive for.  

An estimated 776 million adults, or 16 percent of the world's adult population, still lack basic literacy skills. Two-thirds of whom are women. This reality means their illiteracy restricts their full access to education, social, political and economic opportunities. Literacy enhances one's well-being, health and positive participation in society. This is why our government, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), is committed to youth and adult literacy and life skills as an essential part of its poverty reduction efforts.   

In Afghanistan for example, the Vocational Training for Afghan Women project is helping to increase the self-sufficiency of vulnerable women, including more than 2,000 widows, by teaching them literacy and numeracy skills, enabling them to better support their families. As a result of CIDA's work with CODE in Tanzania, 100,000 more Tanzanian children have learned to read and write, using texts in their own language.

On International Literacy Day, Canadians can be proud of our support to achieve tangible results in advancing literacy as a key to a brighter future in developing countries.


Beverley J. Oda
Minister of International Cooperation