Unfortunately, the available data does not provide with an accurate picture of the illiteracy situation around the world. Countries differences on definitions of a literate person, difficulties in data collection and interpretation result, in an under estimation of the current situation.
Literacy rate are lower among rural women except for Estonia and Tajikistan.
Iliterate women are concentrated mainly in rural and marginal urban areas, where social economic inequalities are more evident. There has been a progress in girls' school enrolment. Primary school girls enrolment increasead in nearly all but 14 countries but there has been a lack of improvement in countries such as Bulgaria, Hyngary, Poland, Zambia and zaire due to economic adjustment and budget draw back. Unfortunately, analysis on adult women illiteracy lack research and publications, therefor I shall refer to the situation on the base of the few systematized experiences and research produced by educators working on the subject. In our societies, women fare less than men.