Page 55 3) Guaranteeing Fairness  Education With regard to education and literacy, the adoption in 2002 of the sectoral education strategy has helped facilitate access to education for young girls through numerous programmes and projects. One example is the “Basic Education” project whose aim is to reduce the repeater and drop-out rates among young girls. In order to promote and protect young girls and women through literacy and non-formal education, the number of centres for the advancement of women grew from 27 in 1998–2000 to 35 in 2000–2005 (source: MINPROFF). The Act on educational guidance in Cameroon was passed in 1998 and steps have been taken to overcome obstacles to formal education for young girls. Reference is also made to the “Schools – friends of children, friends of girls” initiative, which is designed to increase the enrolment of girls and promote the right of children to participate. It was introduced by the Ministry of Education in conjunction with UNICEF.  Vocational Training As far as access to vocational training is concerned, the SAR/SMs enrol young Cameroonians who have completed primary school. These training institutions have children between the ages of 12 to 17 years, in conformity with the definition of the child as contained in the United Nations Charter. In line with its policy of combating unemployment and poverty, MINEFOP organizes competitions for the award of scholarships for all young Cameroonians of 17 years and above, irrespective of gender. Winners of scholarships are trained in private and public institutions and centres. The rapid training centres provide training for young people regardless of whether they have completed junior secondary school or not. In order to guarantee fairness, no training programme is exclusive. All training is open to young people with no discrimination of gender or physical ability. In other words, training is open to young people with disabilities and from poor homes. The total number of learners for the 2008-2009 Academic Year in the SAR/SM is estimated at 12,874, comprising 5,629 girls and 7,245 boys. The public and private vocational training centres had 11,443 learners, made up of 4,300 girls and 7,143 boys. This gives a total of 24,307 learners trained in vocational training institutions during the 2008-2009 Academic Year.