At SDDirect, we believe every child—girls, boys, and young people in their full diversity—deserves a safe, equitable world where they can thrive. Rooted in feminist principles of equal rights and opportunities, our work focuses on breaking down the structural inequalities that hold certain groups back.
We place gender equality, disability rights, and social inclusion (GEDSI) at the core of our efforts in child protection and education. Children are at the heart of our work, recognising the unique lived experiences, rights, and aspirations of every girl and boy. Through meaningful participation, we ensure children’s voices are heard and respected in decisions that affect them. Our approach addresses intersecting vulnerabilities, providing tailored support that promotes dignity, safety, and agency for all children.
The Equal Education & Child Protection Portfolio works across 4 interlinked areas of focus: Safe and Equal: (1) Education; (2) Transitions; (3) Homes; (4) Communities and Societies.
1. Safe and Equal Education
We work to make education safe, inclusive, and accessible for all children and young people, especially those who face marginalisation due to gender, disability, or SOGIESC identities. Our approach includes:
Transforming education systems: Tackling discriminatory practices and promoting GEDSI-responsive and transformative pedagogy.
Addressing barriers: Removing both supply-side issues (e.g., teacher recruitment, infrastructure) and demand-side challenges (e.g., societal norms, economic barriers).
Promoting safeguarding: Strengthening systems to protect students and ensure schools are safe spaces.
Capacity-building: Supporting teachers, caregivers, and education stakeholders to address diverse needs.
Specialised support: Introducing trauma-informed education and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) for children impacted by conflict, violence, or crisis.
Inclusive responses in crises: Designing climate-resilient education systems and expanding inclusive education in conflict-affected areas.
Our work spans all education levels—from early childhood to tertiary—and focuses on creating environments that nurture every learner’s potential.
2. Safe and Equal Transitions
We create pathways for girls and boys to move into dignified work or further education. This involves:
Addressing barriers rooted in poverty, gender, and structural inequalities.
Advocating for economic justice to ensure fair access to opportunities, particularly for marginalised groups.
By equipping young people with the skills and resources they need, we aim to break cycles of poverty and promote long-term equity.
3. Safe and Equal Homes
We work to create home environments free from harm and built on equal rights. This includes:
Ending violence: Addressing intimate partner violence, child marriage, FGM/C, and other harmful practices.
Transforming norms: Promoting equitable caregiving practices and challenging boy-child preference.
Alternative care: Supporting safe and nurturing environments for children who cannot remain with their families.
Our efforts recognise the interconnected nature of structural inequalities, family dynamics and educational outcomes.
4. Safe and Equal Communities and Societies
We build inclusive communities that celebrate diverse childhood experiences and protect girls’ and boys’ rights. Key areas include:
Challenging harmful norms: Addressing patriarchal, heteronormative, and ableist expectations that perpetuate violence and exclusion.
Strengthening systems: Supporting community structures and organisations to safeguard children and foster inclusive environments.
Promoting equity: Partnering with communities ethically and equitably to create sustainable, child-centred solutions.
Together, we can create a world where every girl and boy—regardless of their background or identity—has the opportunity to thrive. Explore our projects, learn more about our impact, or partner with us to make a difference.
If you would like to hear more about the work of the Equal Education and Child Protection portfolio, please reach out to Danielle Cornish-Spencer, Head of Portfolio: danielle@sddirect.org.uk
By Danielle Cornish-Spencer, SDDirect Head of Portfolio Equal Education, and Jummai Joseph, GESI and Safeguarding State Advisor, PLANE
The Importance of Non-Government and Government Collaborative Efforts to advance Equal Education: Enhancing Gender Equality and Social Inclusion
With the Education World Forum taking place next week in London, 120 Ministers from 114 countries will come together to try to answer the forum’s overarching question: ‘How should we prioritise policy and implementation for Stronger, Bolder, Better, Education?’
This review of national education strategies in East Africa and the Pacific explores the current and comparative risks for under-18s in the region from online sexual abuse and exploitation. It looks at the specific vulnerabilities and drivers for abuse, and how these can be prevented through education strategies.
This briefing paper aims to present the views of the Education Working Group (EWG) of British Expertise International (BEI) working on the frontline of the "Covid-19 education crisis". The paper shares the EWG's experience and expertise, and outlines interventions to the crisis, and how EWG members might be able to support in implementing these.
When I think back to my time at school here in the UK, I struggle to remember a point in which the curriculum or general personal, social, health and economics (PSHE) sessions, ever included discussion about gender identity and sexual orientation. During sex education in both Year 6 and Year 9, there was no reference to LGBTQI+ people for example. This was most likely because of Section 28, the damaging legislation that prohibited discussion of LGBTQ+ in schools between 1988 and 2003 in the UK.
ESSPIN was one of a set of UK Aid-funded State Level Programmes (SLPs) in Nigeria, working in governance, accountability and the delivery of health and education services. ESSPIN started with a pilot in 2,000 schools rapidly expanding to over 16,000 schools by 2017. The £124m programme was managed by a consortium led by Cambridge Education.
SDDirect provides technical leadership and support on an integrated approach to gender equality, social inclusion and safeguarding across all outcome and output areas of the programme, as part of the PLANE Consortium led by international development company DAI.
Danielle joined SDDirect’s technical team in 2019, and works as the Head of Portfolio for Equal Education and Principal Consultant in Safeguarding.
As Deputy Technical Director, Barry Smith co-leads SDDirect’s consultancy and research staff.
The FCDO Girls’ Education Challenge (GEC) was launched in 2012 as a 12-year commitment to reach the most marginalised girls in the world. Working across 41 projects delivered by over 30 implementing partners in 17 countries, the GEC is the largest global fund dedicated to girls’ education. The GEC has radically reformed its approach to safeguarding over the last three years, in line with the UK government’s new safeguarding policies, launched in 2018.
