In this ground-breaking study, Regina Cortina and Nelly Stromquist examine how the alliances of international agencies, national governments, and nongovernmental organizations have strengthened public support for educating girls and women in Latin America. Bringing a timely and readable account of the strategies pursued, the authors show how the strength of the women's movement has influenced the education of women and girls, and thus has helped to reduce poverty and strengthen the citizenship of women in developing countries. The book's overview of recent initiatives, along with its illuminating case studies of developing nations, offers the reader a window into educational reform and the realities of social change in Latin America.