Peng Liyuan, China's first lady and a UNESCO special envoy for advancing girls' and women's education, called on Monday for the promotion of gender equality in education and for better education for females.

She made the appeal at an awards ceremony in Beijing for the first UNESCO Prize for Girl's and Women's Education.

Supported by China, the prize is given annually to two laureates. It consists of an award of $50,000 each to further their work in girls' and women's education.