Education projects of Indonesia, Zimbabwe win UNESCO prize

Projects from Indonesia and Zimbabwe were honored with the Prize for Girls' and Women's Education of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) here on Monday.

UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova and Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, gave the prize to Ella Yulaelawati, director of the Directorate of Early Childhood Education from Indonesia, and Evernice Munando, director of the Female Students Network Trust from Zimbabwe, respectively.

The Directorate of Early Childhood Education is awarded for its project that improves access and quality of girl's education through community-based early childhood education and early-year gender mainstreaming, according to the UNESCO.

The project targets girls in their early age, early childhood education female teachers, mothers and education administrators in five provinces of Indonesia.

The Female Students Network Trust is awarded for its initiative focusing on tertiary education for female students through leadership development and mentorship programs.

The program is aimed at creating more favorable learning environment for girls and women and establishing policies against sexual harassment in tertiary institutions.

Addressing the awarding ceremony at the Great Hall of the People, Bokova thanked China for funding the prize and spoke highly of the importance China attached to education, teachers, and the right of access to education.

She said the prize will promote the cooperation between UNESCO and China as well as the empowerment of girls and women across the world.

Peng, also special envoy of the UNESCO for the promotion of girls' and women's education, said she will commit herself to the mission of ensuring women's right to receive education.

The prize was initiated and funded by the Chinese government, which is also the first one of the UNESCO in such area. Endi