UNITED NATIONS GIRLS EDUCATION INITIATIVE

Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC), brings a depth of organizational experience and expertise in promoting gender equality in education. Founded in 1958, EDC seeks to make profound and lasting improvements in education, health, and economic opportunity around the world. EDC’s Health and Human Development (HHD) regional office in Asia has successfully implemented several gender-focused education programs including the following:

Vocational education: EDC HHD Asia’s flagship Learning Initiative for Entrepreneurs (LIFE) program empowers entrepreneurs and youth in low-income communities to start up new businesses, expand the potential of their existing small businesses, or obtain jobs through training on IT together with business skills. In the Asia Pacific region, the program has reached over 20,000 beneficiaries of which an estimated 60-65% are female women and youth.

HIV/AIDS prevention for orphaned children: EDC HHD Asia’s regional HIV/AIDS program in Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, India, and Thailand has provided care and support to over 15,000 orphaned children and youth. In Thailand, 300 orphaned boys and girls have received education and psycho-social support through the project to attend primary school.

UNGEI evaluation: In 2006, EDC HHD Asia conducted an evaluation review of selected projects for UNGEI in China visiting Guangxi, Gansu, and Yunnan provinces. The evaluated projects ranged from vocational training to community-driven school development planning and educational scholarships for ethnic minority girls. The resulting publication 'Towards Equal Opportunities For All: empowering girls through partnerships in education', was launched at the Regional UNGEI Gender in Education Roundtable meeting on 5th July 2007.

For more information, please visit: http://www.edc.org/