About us
ActionAid is an international charity that works with women and girls living in poverty. We are ending violence and fighting poverty so that all women, everywhere, can create the future they want.
Our work with women and girls
ActionAid is an international charity that works with women and girls living in poverty. Our dedicated local staff are changing the world with women and girls. We are ending violence and fighting poverty so that all women and girls, everywhere, can create the future they want.
The importance of education
Education transforms lives and communities. Educating girls helps to break the cycle of poverty generating enormous and far-reaching benefits. It reduces rates of child marriage, promotes healthier and smaller families, improves wages and jobs for women, and empowers women to become leaders at community and government levels. But around the world, nine million girls of primary school age will never start school or set foot in a classroom. This compares to about three million boys.
ActionAid believes that all children have the right to education. By investing in education, children are given the skills and knowledge they need to lead their own positive change.
How ActionAid tackles period poverty
It's estimated that one in 10 girls in Africa will miss school when they have their periods.
ActionAid works with communities to improve access to toilets, showers, menstrual products and education for girls about periods and sex, so girls can go to school and get the skills they need to break out of poverty and take control of their own lives.
ActionAid is providing training for communities in how to make reusable, low-cost sanitary pads.
Razia Yazid (pictured to the right) is a 25-year-old feminist leader and activist who attended training workshops run by ActionAid. Razia has since been conducting several workshops on making reusable pads, women's rights and family planning.
“I love changing the lives of young girls. I like seeing that in the future, they will also stand [up for their rights] and support themselves.”
How you can support ActionAid:
Will you join ActionAid in changing the world with women and girls?
Check out our
A-Z list of ideas list of ideas for how you could fundraise for ActionAid. Here are just a few of our favourites:
- Bake sales - Hosting a bake sale at your school is a simple and sweet fundraising event that is a great way to raise money.
- Dress down or up day - Organise a dress down (or up) day at school and everyone makes a small donation.
- Variety show – Host a ticketed variety show, music concert, or comedy event! This is a great way to showcase your skills and celebrate the weird and the wonderful.
- Pad party - Organise a crafting session to make your own reusable sanitary pads. Use our step-by-step guide on how to make your own reusable sanitary pads. See how to make your own reusable sanitary pads with ActionAid's how to video here.
- Celebrate awareness days - These include: International Women’s Day (8th March), Menstrual Hygiene Day (28th May), World Humanitarian Day (19th August), International Day of the Girl (11th October), Giving Tuesday (29th November), and more!
We’ll support you every step of the way to help make your fundraising as fun and easy as possible. We have also lots of
free downloadable resources – take a look!
