Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, has urged greater efforts to guarantee girls’ access to education, particularly in science and technology, as the organisation marked the 10th anniversary of its Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education.
Azoulay joined Professor Peng Liyuan, UNESCO Special Envoy, at a ceremony in China on Friday to celebrate the milestone. During the visit, the Director-General will also sign agreements to establish a new UNESCO Institute in Shanghai dedicated to science and technology education – a sector where women remain significantly underrepresented.
“This Prize provides financial support, recognition and global visibility for outstanding initiatives in girls’ education around the world. It also contributes to long-term change in mentalities, leading to greater legal and practical recognition of this fundamental right,” said Azoulay.
Progress and challenges in education access
Over recent decades, girls’ enrolment in education has improved considerably. In the past 30 years, the primary school enrolment rate for girls has risen by 8 percentage points, reaching near universal levels globally. Secondary enrolment has increased by more than 25 percentage points, from 52% to 77%. At higher education level, the number of female students has grown from 41 million to 139 million.
UNESCO says its backing has been central to this progress, supporting 44 Member States in 2024 with the development of policies that prioritise gender equality in education.
Yet challenges remain. UNESCO estimates 133 million girls are still out of school worldwide. Barriers include lack of funding, entrenched gender bias, and restrictive policies. Afghanistan remains the only country in the world where girls are banned from secondary and higher education, leaving more than 2.2 million unable to attend school.
Azoulay pointed out that while access to education has widened, inequalities persist in specific areas such as Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Women represent only 35% of graduates in these fields. In 2024, UNESCO supported 17 countries to tackle this issue through mentoring programmes and teacher training schemes.
During her trip, Azoulay will also visit the site of the upcoming UNESCO International Institute for STEM Education in Shanghai. The institute is designed to help countries strengthen their STEM provision and encourage young women to pursue careers in these disciplines.
Prize celebrates global initiatives
The UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education, created in 2015 with the support of China, has recognised 20 laureates over the past decade. Each year, two winning projects receive $50,000 to continue their work.
In its 10th year, the jury selected initiatives from Kenya and Lebanon out of a record number of nominations.
Nashipai Maasai Community Projects in Kenya, founded in 2015, was honoured for its work supporting the education of Maasai girls. The project provides scholarships, challenges child marriage practices, and works with communities to dismantle gender stereotypes. Through advocacy, dialogue, and food security schemes, Nashipai has enabled over 3,000 girls to complete school and move into higher education, developing a new generation of female leaders.
The second laureate, All Girls Code in Lebanon, was founded in 2017 by two young women. The volunteer-run initiative delivers free training and mentoring in coding, digital technology, and leadership for girls across Lebanon and the wider Arab region. It places particular emphasis on disadvantaged groups, including refugee communities. To date, more than 2,500 girls in nine countries have benefitted from its programmes, giving them new educational and career prospects.
Looking ahead
UNESCO says the Prize reflects its ongoing priority of advancing gender equality and ensuring that education is accessible to women and girls everywhere. By combining global recognition with direct financial support, it aims to strengthen initiatives that create long-term impact.
Azoulay emphasised that the creation of the new institute in Shanghai will play a central role in pushing forward these objectives, especially in STEM fields. “This is an incredible opportunity to contribute to the progress and success of the INSC,” she added, pointing to the importance of inspiring young women to enter innovative sectors.
