1. Literacy is the ability to read and write, and it is considered an essential skill for individuals to become functional members of society.
2. According to UNESCO, nearly 773 million adults worldwide lack basic literacy skills, with two-thirds of them being women.
3. In the United States, about 14% of adults are considered functionally illiterate, meaning they have difficulty reading, writing, or understanding basic information.
4. Children who are exposed to books and reading at an early