CEDAW/C/1997/3/Add.3 English Page 10 chapter was widely disseminated at the World Conference in Beijing in September 1995. For the first time, UNESCO has introduced special programmes in these fields. Their main objectives are improved access to, and participation of women and girls in, teaching positions and scientific and technical careers and other specialized professions linked to development. 2. (a) Presentation of special projects for women's education and literacy and their training in science and technology Promotion of the education of women and girls in Africa (Sahelian countries for a period of four years) 14. The aim of this project is to reinforce girls' and women's education, female literacy and continuing education, to provide training and technical assistance for planning and implementing more effective schooling of girls and to develop alternative delivery systems for literacy and non-formal continuing education of women, thus promoting girls' and women's empowerment and their status in society. (b) Scientific, technical and vocational training of girls in Africa (Sahelian countries for a period of six years) 15. The aim of this project is to favour the access of girls to scientific, technical and vocational education, to assess and reduce the obstacles encountered by girls in acceding to scientific, technical and vocational education and to promote the development of gender-specific strategies to enhance the access of girls to such education. (c) Women, higher education and development (all regions, with emphasis on Africa and countries in transition for a period of six years) 16. The aim of this project is to improve the status and accession of women to responsible posts in professional fields directly linked to development, particularly in such fields as science and technology, health and community development. B. 1. Breakdown of States' reports to CEDAW General trends in world education: breakdown of 1995 statistics 17. Progress for girls and women in education requires firstly greater access and full participation in formal basic education and formal or informal continuing education, thus allowing them real integration or re-integration in society. 18. Such progress is currently measured by the increase in the rates of literacy and schooling but it must also be measured by the nature and content of the education given. /...