UNITED NATIONS GIRLS EDUCATION INITIATIVE

Millions of children around the world are deprived of the right to education. The result: One out of three children never see the inside of a classroom. UNESCO works with national governments and development partners to achieve universal free primary education and gender equality by 2015.

UNESCO - the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was founded on 16 November 1945. For this specialized United Nations agency, it is not enough to build classrooms in devastated countries or to publish scientific breakthroughs. Education, Social and Natural Science, Culture and Communication are the means to a far more ambitious goal: to build peace in the minds of men.

Today, UNESCO functions as a laboratory of ideas and a standard-setter to forge universal agreements on emerging ethical issues. The Organization also serves as a clearinghouse – for the dissemination and sharing of information and knowledge – while helping Member States to build their human and institutional capacities in diverse fields. In short, UNESCO promotes international co-operation among its 191* Member States and six Associate Members in the fields of education, science, culture and communication.

UNESCO is working to create the conditions for genuine dialogue based upon respect for shared values and the dignity of each civilization and culture. This role is critical, particularly in the face of terrorism, which constitutes an attack against humanity. The world urgently requires global visions of sustainable development based upon observance of human rights, mutual respect and the alleviation of poverty, all of which lie at the heart of UNESCO’s mission and activities.

Gender Equality and Girls’ Education

In a majority of developing countries girls continue to face discrimination with regards to access to school. As a result, they comprise about 57% of all out-of-school children.

Over 70 countries are at risk of not achieving the Education for All goal of gender parity by 2005, and some will not even meet this goal by 2015.

UNESCO supports girls’ education by promoting their access to, and retention in, primary education and by supporting education policies that are equitable. UNESCO’s strategy is based on three main objectives: consolidation of knowledge, building partnerships, advocacy, and policy development. At present, UNESCO is carrying out activities in the areas of advocacy, networking, information campaigns, seminars, training, capacity building and community-based projects.

*As of March 2005