CEDAW/C/2006/III/3/Add.3 Activities, Inc., Women in Enterprise Development (NDFCAI-WED). The GENPEACE project is implemented on the basis of UNESCO’s interdisciplinary programme “Towards a Culture of Peace” through education and effective communication. The project has been incorporated into the Government of the Philippines United National Multi-Donor Programme (GOP-UNMDP-Phase III), and is also assisted by the Canadian International Development Agency’s Local Government Support Programme (CIDA-LGSP). The project receives support from local government units and community. Through this project, UNESCO helped with the capacity building of Mindanao NGO Literacy and Education Network members and the establishment of 15 Community Radio Stations. The activities covered Community-based Advocacy on Education for All (EFA) and United Nations Literacy Decade (UNLD). The distance learning courses, using the UNESCO/GENPEACE community radio stations, targeted mostly illiterate and marginalized women and girls in the most isolated and conflictridden communities of Mindanao. The GENPEACE also integrates peace education and gender in literacy and continuing education activities. Literacy learning classes are organized in the areas where illiteracy rates are high. Classes are designed to facilitate learning of adults, especially women, with zero literacy level. Included in the modules were skills training that helped build capacity of the target communities. Through the project, adult illiterates, many of whom were women, from the remotest areas of Mindanao are given opportunities to learn basic literacy and become empowered community members. Ms. Pampay Kudanding Usman, 60, of Barangay Katuli, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao province, is one of the graduates of the GENPEACE literacy courses. She is now a literate woman and was the lead speaker during the formal launch of the United Nations Literacy Decade in New York (2003). “In one month’s time, I learned to write my name, address, read public vehicle signboards and prizes of commodities. And I now look forward to the next elections as I will be able to write the names of my candidates without being assisted by anyone. Now I can write the name of the person whom I want to vote,” Pampay said with pride during her speech. PALIHAN Project for Out-of-School and Street Children in Metro Manila PALIHAN is a non-formal technical/vocational skills training programme specially designed for the so-called youth-at-risk, out-of-school youth and street youth between age 17 – 24 years. Most of the trainees are girls and young women. PALIHAN is an acronym for Palitanng Husay at Sanayan, which means exchange of skills and expertise. Jointly developed by NGO ERDA Tech Foundation (www.erdatech.org) and UNESCO, the PALIHAN programme began in October 1997. It was conceived in response to the growing number of youth who have left school due to a variety of reasons linked to poverty. The PALIHAN aims to change youth alienation by giving them the life skills and work skills to develop their sense of responsibility and foster a positive outlook so they can become contributing members of society. The PALIHAN is now in its sixth phase and over 800 trainees have completed the one year programme. The rights of girls and women are part of the training curriculum. Of these trainees, 61% are employed, which is much higher than national youth employment rate of 19.7% (Labour Force Statistics, National Statistics Office, 2005). 18 06-39749