As women's education has become one of the key development objectives in the nineties, it is crucial to examine the assumptions under which policies, programs and projects are formulated towards this goal. More recently, the concept of empowerment has been tied to the range of activities undertaken by and for women in different areas, education included.

To facilitate the exchange of experiences, the participants were each requested to prepare a background paper describing their education-related activities. It was further meant to stimulate the discussion on major problems in the field of women's education as well as to explore ways and means of carrying out efficient and innovative programs for empowering women.

The participants were likewise asked to reflect on the relevant theoretical issues and practical concerns regarding the empowerment of women through education.