The other prizes given by Unesco in recognition of innovative programmes designed to teach women, adolescents and other marginalised populations how to read and write went to programmes in Afghanistan, Burkina Faso and the Philippines.

The Pashai Language Development Project in Afghanistan provides literacy, livelihood, public health and nutrition education to about 1,000 ethnic minority Pashai men and women annually.

An honourable mention also went to a programme in Bhutan for its holistic approach to literacy and its success in reaching remote areas, with an emphasis on literacy as an integral part of the country's 'Gross National Happiness' as well as its focus on adults and out-of-school youth, particularly women and girls.

The theme for this year's awards was 'Literacy and Empowerment' and the laureates were proclaimed by Unesco Director-General Kochiro Matsuura on the recommendation of an international jury.

The award ceremony will be held at the Unesco Headquarters in Paris Sep 8 to coincide with International Literacy Day.