This book examines the current state of and prospects for the education of women in developing countries. Generally, as the book indicates, women in such countries receive less education than their male counterparts. Moreover, poorer cultures tend to view girls as less valuable than boys, in that they may be less capable to perform physical labor. The book begins with a foreword and an introduction, followed by an overview of women's education in the developing world and a discussion of returns to women's education. Subsequent chapters examine the issue by region: sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, South Asia, and East Asia. The chapters include detailed data on the economic and educational state of the regions, government policy, conclusions, notes, and references. A final chapter, "Educating Women: Lessons from Experience," discusses such topics as how to expand women's educational access, how to reduce direct costs, and more generally, how to alleviate poverty. The book also includes subject and author indices. (SG)