True Liberation: The use of reusable pads in tackling absenteeism of girls in our school

The issues that affect girls’ education and future life prospects are seemingly trivial to those who have not come face-to-face with the reality of those who come from poor families. Some families in both rural and urban Ghana cannot afford $2 (two dollars) a day to provide food for the families, not to mention such families also provide disposable sanitary pads for their girls to use during that time of the month.


The disposable sanitary pad is categorised as a luxury good, hence it attracts high import duty, making the least priced containing 8 pieces (eight) of pads selling at $2 (two dollars) at the current exchange rate. This situation has made the disposable sanitary pad a commodity unaffordable to most girls from poor and average homes in Ghana.


Menstruation and its related issues vis-à-vis sanitary conditions in schools are a pressing concern in my country, Ghana. The situation impacts the attendance of adolescent girls at school so severely that the cumulative effect over a period of ten years (the number of years a girl would spend schooling between Junior High and Tertiary levels) is unimaginable. The stigmatisation that girls experience during that time of the month and the fact that sanitary pads remain a luxury item for the majority of girls who come from poor families pose a significant barrier to the education of girls and their empowerment.


Many schools in Ghana lack sanitary facilities, not to mention access to changing rooms for girls and water. As we (NAGRAT with support from Steve Sinnoff foundation) took girls and Teachers through training, we learnt at first hand that some girls used unhygienic materials such as leaves, newspapers/other papers to manage their menstruation leading to health risks, leakages and overall discomfort, it was observed from interactions with school girls that majority of them absent themselves from school at least five days in every month, some even dropped out eventually because they could not just catch up with academic work.


Teaching girls and Teachers how to produce something decent, affordable and effective is truly liberating. Girls can go through their cycles with dignity and no discomfort. Girls we have trained so far can go to school throughout when schools are in session, and prepare adequately for the world of work and life in general.


A simple solution! Great Results


BY REBECCA OCRAN ABAIDOO

NATIONAL GENDER COORDINATOR

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATE TEACHERS – GHANA

Rebecca Ocran Abaidoo • April 13, 2026

UNESCO UK ASPnet celebrates young people planting seeds of hope around the world

By Ann Beatty • October 8, 2026
The 2026 UNESCO UK ASPnet Seeds of Hope Competition Online Awards Ceremony took place on 30 September 2026 and was attended by over 70 participants, including young people, teachers, the Competition Judges and UNESCO Commission representatives. The ethos of the Competition was ‘ to recognise, value and celebrate the efforts of all young people who entered the Competition, and their contribution towards helping UNESCO realise many of its key objectives, especially with regard to sustainability and climate challenges’. 2026 is the second year that UNESCO UK has undertaken the Seeds of Hope for a Better Future Competition. The Competition featured 50 projects, involving 13 countries across six continents, and representing 67 educational institutions from all sectors (early years, primary, secondary and tertiary). Significantly, this was more than double the participation in the 2025 Competition, with thousands of young people taking part in, or being impacted . Eight winners from Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Slovenia received Gold Certificates and shared the £5000 prize pot. Seven Kenyan Teacher Training College projects were also collectively recognised for projects that strongly support the sustainability and climate change objectives of UNESCO through ongoing work of local, regional, national and international importance, and received the 2026 UNESCO UK ASPnet Seeds of Hope Legacy Award . 

UNESCO ASPnet UK schools on the theme of peace was presented to Pope Leo XIV at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris

By Ann Beatty • September 25, 2026
A moment to be proud of and a reminder of why young people’s voices matter. Today, artwork created by students from UNESCO ASPnet UK schools on the theme of peace was presented to Pope Leo XIV at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, alongside artwork from young people in other countries. What an amazing opportunity for our students to have their creativity, ideas and hopes represented on an international stage. For me, this is what UNESCO ASPnet is about: creating opportunities for young people to connect across cultures, express themselves creatively, learn from one another and imagine a better future together. The power of young people’s creativity: their voices being part of an international conversation about education, peace, culture and our shared future. UNESCO’s programme for Pope Leo XIV’s visit specifically focused on education, artistic creation, AI, information integrity and peace. The work was part of a mural that brings together 80 original creations marking UNESCO’s 80th anniversary, produced as part of the "International Youth for Peace" competition organized by France TV and UNESCO.

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.