From a union leader to a real changemaker

From a union leader to a real changemaker: A teacher union leaders’ journey to combating absenteeism amongst girls through sustained menstrual health solutions in Ghana schools

Governments and society in general focus on the seemingly big and more conspicuous issues when it comes to eliminating all forms of discrimination in education, but lurking behind these issues is a silent barrier that is preventing many young girls from taking full advantage of the free compulsory education being offered by the government of Ghana.


In the bustling classrooms of Ghanaian schools, menstruation and its associated stigma and lack of access to proper menstrual health solutions is causing lots of adolescent girls to absent themselves from schools during that time of the month thereby losing very important learning time. When one looks at the cumulative loss of learning hours over a period of a year and even throughout the school going age of the girl, it becomes more evident that the girl is at a disadvantage if she doesn’t have access to period products.


I was hit by this reality when I chanced upon some girls chatting. I heard how some of them used papers from discarded cement paper bags and iced water rubbers etc. as pads. I was not only shocked but began to imagine how unhealthy this was and the possibility of infections. I started to dig deeper into the issue and realized that girls absenting themselves from school was the least of the consequences; some girls get pregnant in their bid to access money from boys or men to purchase period pads.


One period pad in Ghana costs more than the daily minimum wage thereby making it very expensive for most families to be able to buy pads for their girls. Determined to make a difference, I began looking for a solution that would enable girls to manage their periods with dignity and ease; allowing them to attend school regularly was the way to go.


Linking up with the Steve Sinnott Foundation through the General Secretary of the Gambian Teachers Union (Mrs. Antoinette Corr) has been a breath of fresh air. The support from the foundation has helped to put our ideas into action and has given the girls confidence that they can have their periods and go to school at the same time.


NAGRAT, with the help of The Steve Sinnott Foundation, set out to teach female teachers and girls in Ho (Volta region of Ghana) about menstrual health, learn to make re-usable period pads and talk safely about school related gender base violence (SRGBV), but we got more than that. The experience has ignited a fire in us as union leaders to give as much attention to the needs of the learners (especially girls) as we do for our colleagues.


As I write this article, I am reflecting on all that could have gone wrong for me when I was a young girl having come face to face with the reality of our girls today.


The team was pleasantly surprised at the immediate impact of our intervention on the participants and the rippling effect it would have on them, their siblings, neighbours and future children. As we talked with the girls and answered their numerous questions three comments in particular caused me to think and to reflect.


  • “Why is this not taught in school”
  • “My mother will be happy to see this because she will not
  • have to credit pads for me again”.
  • “I wish all the girls in my class were here”.


The team invited teachers and students from ten schools but from the second day twenty-one schools were participating. This gives a clear indication of the widespread need for this intervention and obviously how important it is to reach out to other communities. The second and third day of training witnessed the participants’ unwillingness to go on breaks because they were so engrossed in the sessions. As I conclude this write up, I am thinking about what we could have achieved if we had stepped into this much earlier bearing in mind the powerful effect that teachers have on their learners.


Bigraphy


Rebecca Ocran Abaidoo is the Gender coordinator (National Association of Graduate Teachers) Ghana, has been a teacher since 1997, and a union leader at regional and national levels since 2009.


BY REBECCA OCRAN ABAIDOO • June 10, 2024

Change Starts with a Will: Leave a Legacy That Helps Transform Education

September 7, 2026
Most of us want to leave the world a little better than we found it. Whether that's through the people we love, the values we pass on, or the causes we care about, we all hope our legacy will make a difference. One of the simplest ways to do that is by writing a will. This autumn, we are proud to be taking part in the Change Starts with a Will campaign, allowing our supporters to write or update their will free of charge through our trusted partner, Octopus Legacy. Why writing a will matters Writing a will isn't just about deciding who inherits your possessions. It's about making sure your wishes are respected and providing peace of mind for the people you care about. Having a will means you can: Protect the people you love. Make important decisions about your estate. Reduce uncertainty for your family. Leave a lasting gift to a cause that reflects your values. Many people put off writing a will, believing it's something to think about later in life. In reality, it's one of the most important documents you'll ever create. A legacy that supports education Steve Sinnott dedicated his life to championing education as a fundamental human right. His belief was simple but powerful: every child deserves the opportunity to learn, and every teacher deserves the support they need to inspire future generations. Today, we continue that mission by working with partners across the world to improve access to quality education, strengthen teaching and support communities where education can change lives. When you choose to leave a gift in your will to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, you're helping ensure that this work can continue for years to come. After taking care of family and friends, even a small gift could help provide learning opportunities, strengthen education systems and create brighter futures for generations to come. A gift that lasts beyond a lifetime Legacy gifts play an important role in helping charities plan for the future. Your support could help us continue investing in sustainable education projects, supporting teachers and ensuring more children have access to the education they deserve. It's a powerful way to ensure your values live on long into the future. Write your will for free As part of our Autumn 2026 campaign, we're offering supporters the opportunity to write or update their will free of charge through Octopus Legacy. There is no obligation to leave a gift to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, but we hope you'll consider remembering us after you've taken care of those closest to you. Together, we can continue Steve Sinnott's vision of a world where education changes lives. Find out more If you've been thinking about writing your will, there's never been a better time. Our free will service is available until 31 October 2026 , making it easy to protect the people you love while considering the lasting impact your legacy could have on education worldwide.  https://octopuslegacy.com/online-will?channel=partner Change starts with a will. And together, we can help create a future where education is accessible to everyone.

What happens when creativity, young people, education and community come together?

By Ann Beatty • August 25, 2026
Seeds of Hope are everywhere! “I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I arrived at Stage at the Lake…” But it was special to meet all of the Calderdale team in person, who had brought this four-day event together so successfully. Sometimes an event stays with you long after the final performance has finished. My visit to Stage at the Lake at the beautiful Shibden Hall in Calderdale was one of those occasions. As UNESCO ASPnet UK Coordinator, I was delighted to be invited as a guest, but what I experienced was much more than simply attending an event. Here, in the grounds of a house steeped in history, the past, present and future seemed to meet. The English Chamber Orchestra filled the setting with music, Northern Ballet brought movement and storytelling to life, and throughout there was a wonderful sense of creativity, community and possibility. And then there were the parklets; a unique gardening festival at Shibden Park celebrating community, creativity and the power of nature to bring people together. At its heart was a specially commissioned trail of ten micro show gardens, designed and built by community groups from across Calderdale. It was wonderful to see spaces where ideas, conversations and creativity were flourishing and connecting through Seeds of Hope. I cannot wait to see them transported to their ‘forever homes’. Standing there, I found myself thinking about what we mean when we talk about education, culture and hope. 

Alfa Liv Kalkil - Math concepts for popular literacy classes in Haiti

By Chancy Jak • August 25, 2026
2025 During the annual fomasyon for Alfa monitors, Antoliyis Pye gave an extensive presentation on how best to introduce and develop basic math concepts in literacy classes. The response to his insight and enthusiasm led to our decision to create our own math book for Alfa participants.  In Haiti and around the world, illiterate market women and peasant farmers develop their own techniques for calculating and recording numbers. However, in providing literacy for the development of our people, we must also introduce the world of conventional numeracy. These skills lead to logical thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to interpret and make informed decisions on numerical evidence. For a year we worked together to draft the contents of our Alfa Liv Kalkil, seek illustrations, create layout, and finally take our product to the local printer. Funds were provided for 350 copies, enough for each Alfa participant at each of our sites at the present level of attendance. 2026 Our next step was to fully engage each Alfa monitor in the process for introduction and use of Liv Kalkil in Alfa classes. Our two day fomasyon for 2026 was dedicated to ensuring that each member of our team was familiar with the book and comfortable in implementing the concepts with Alfa participants. The sessions were a great success. Every monitor was extremely pleased with this new tool which will allow them and their classes to work together in the world of mathematics. Liv Kalkil is now in service for every participant throughout Alfa, from Limonade itself out to sites in the hills and along the river. It is with some excitement that the monitors and participants are beginning to use our very own, home-grown, math book. In the same way that we already had Goute Sel*, Lekti Netale*, Ti Koze Sou Istwa Peyi Dayiti*, we are proud to have this math book which advances our shared work for the development of our people. We are profoundly grateful to all those who have encouraged and supported us in developing this book. We want to thank our dedicated team of monitors, the Alfa support team in Columbus, Ann Beatty and the Steve Sinnott Foundation, and the many others who contribute to our literacy programme. Chancy Jak (Alfa Co-ordinator) Antoliyis Pye (senior monitor) *Goute Sel: Taste of Salt (base text for Alfa literacy classes) *Lekti Netale (reading comprehension) *Ti Koze Sou Istwa Peyi Dayiti (stories from Haitian history; Alfa second level)