The impact of enlightened policies and incentives designed to increase girls' enrollment and achievement in education has been marginal in Nepal. Ministry of Education (MOE) goals aimed at increasing girls' participation include increasing the enrollment rate, opening early childhood development centers, promoting recruitment of at least one female teacher per primary school; and having a primary school within walking distance of each village. Barriers to participation are a maze of sociocultural, economic, and political realities that vary by community and even by family. Key barriers at the community level are preferring to educate sons who remain a family asset; opportunity and cash costs of education; early marriage; schools that are not girl-friendly; and higher workload for girls. Four elements of MOE's strategy for increasing access to basic and primary education have major impact on girls and women: launching an Early Childhood Development program; decentralization; increasing private sector and community cost-sharing in education; and compulsory education. The primary programming tools designed to increase the participation of girls and women are incentives targeting girls and women, gender sensitization, and advocacy. Challenges that remain for education for girls and women are attaining relevance, sustaining progress, and ensuring quality education. (Contains 19 references.) (YLB)