E/2007/27 E/CN.6/2007/9 girls and boys in education, training and research, and in levels of achievement in all fields, particularly basic education and literacy programmes; 14.3. Gender stereotypes (a) Recognize that eliminating stereotypes calls for a deep societal change that needs to be supported through the development of strategies to eliminate gender stereotypes in all spheres of life, and foster the positive portrayal of women and girls at all levels, including as leaders and decision makers, including through developing and implementing appropriate legislation, policies and programmes, as well as awareness campaigns, to address stereotypical attitudes and behaviours that contribute to discrimination and violence against girls; (b) Target and work with men and boys, as well as women and girls and other actors, such as parents, teachers, religious and traditional leaders and educational and media institutions, to address stereotypical attitudes and behaviours, and encourage decision makers at all levels with responsibilities for policies, legislation, programmes and allocation of public resources to play leadership roles in the elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against girls and in the promotion of girls empowerment; (c) Ensure that men and women, and boys and girls are educated on girls’ rights and their responsibility to respect the rights of others, inter alia, by integrating girls’ rights into appropriate curricula at all levels, including in schools and the vocational training of health workers, teachers, law enforcement personnel, military personnel, social workers, the judiciary, community leaders, the media and others and encourage men and boys to speak out strongly against all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls and not to protect perpetrators or condone their violence; (d) Promote non-discriminatory treatment of girls and boys in the family and, in this regard, adopt measures to ensure equal access by girls and boys to food, education and health, and develop programmes and policies addressed to family members, especially parents and other legal guardians, to protect and promote the health and well-being of girls, as well as to ensure that the value of girls to their families and societies is recognized, including with a view to eliminating son preference; (e) Encourage cooperation and dialogue between Governments and all relevant actors so that media contents, including the portrayal of gender stereotypes, prejudices and violence, are reviewed, consistent with freedom of expression, and that the quality of programmes broadcast can be improved; (f) Encourage the active participation of boys, from an early age, in the elimination of discrimination and violence against girls, including through the promotion of gender-sensitive socialization processes, targeted programmes and creation of spaces and environments where boys and girls can be guided in challenging gender stereotypes and negative attitudes towards girls; 14.4. Health (a) Take all necessary measures to ensure the rights of girls to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health, and develop sustainable 07-28248 7