UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Millie Bobby Brown Champions Adolescent Girls’ Rights in Brazil.
São Paulo:
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Millie Bobby Brown visited São Paulo, Brazil this week, where she met with adolescent girls and young children to hear their stories, understand the challenges they face, and encourage them to pursue their dreams.
Earlier this month, Brown had delivered a powerful speech at the United Nations Headquarters during the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), where she highlighted the importance of supporting girls’ rights worldwide. Her visit to Brazil reinforced this message as she visited a school in the Cidade Tiradentes district of São Paulo and engaged with a group of teenage girls.
“I’m very grateful to UNICEF for the opportunity to meet the young people in this community, as well as the teachers,” said Brown. “I was especially moved to have spent time with several adolescent girls at the school, to listen and learn about their personal stories and experiences. We talked about the importance of supporting each other through our respective challenges, and I wanted them to feel empowered to make decisions about their future. They are incredibly inspiring, and I know they will continue to be the change in their community.”
The girls shared with Brown some of the major obstacles they face, such as the gender inequality present in schools, the need for education on menstrual dignity, and the importance of girls advocating for their rights. They expressed the desire for more support and encouragement, which is crucial for their empowerment.
In Brazil, adolescent girls face a variety of challenges that hinder their rights. One significant issue is period poverty, which affects 15 million girls across the country and limits their participation in school due to a lack of access to sanitary supplies, water, soap, and clean bathrooms. Furthermore, adolescent girls often experience higher unemployment rates and are underrepresented in apprenticeships. Violence remains a critical issue, with one case of sexual violence against girls reported every eight minutes in 2023. Additionally, 14 percent of births in Brazil in 2020 were to adolescent mothers, which often leads to setbacks in education and economic opportunities.
“School is very important as a support network, especially in a marginal area like where we live,” said 14-year-old Kizzy, a student in the Cidade Tiradentes district. “Many children often don’t understand certain topics due to a lack of information, and they live in extreme poverty. Having the school as a source of support for students is essential, and always putting the students first is very important.”
UNICEF has been working alongside the Government of Brazil and local authorities to improve education, protection, and employment opportunities for vulnerable girls and boys in neighborhoods like Cidade Tiradentes, where poverty, violence, and out-of-school children are prevalent.
During her visit, Millie Bobby Brown also met with school staff and learned about UNICEF’s Active School Search project, which identifies children who are out of school and supports their return to the classroom. To cap off the visit, Millie helped paint a mural with students and participated in a capoeira class, a traditional Brazilian dance and martial art.
“Millie is an inspiration to girls in Brazil and around the world. Her visit to Brazil, especially her conversation with teenage girls, was a unique opportunity to inspire Brazilian girls to believe in their full potential,” said UNICEF Brazil Representative Youssouf Abdel-Jelil.
Millie’s visit in São Paulo also included a meeting with UNICEF Brazil Ambassador Maisa Silva, where the two discussed their work with UNICEF and their efforts to advocate for girls’ rights on a global scale.