UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Millie Bobby Brown meets adolescent girls in Brazil and champions their rights

UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Millie Bobby Brown met adolescent girls and young children while in São Paulo, Brazil, this week, to hear about their lives, the challenges they face, and how they are pursuing their dreams.

During the visit, the Emmy-nominated actress – who earlier this month delivered a speech at the United Nations Headquarters during the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) to champion girls’ rights – visited a school in the Cidade Tiradentes district of São Paulo and met 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 Millie some of the obstacles they face, including the different treatment between boys and girls in school, the importance of education, particularly around menstrual dignity, and the need for girls to advocate for themselves. They highlighted the need for more support and encouragement for girls.

In Brazil, adolescent girls face many restrictions to their rights. Period poverty – a lack of access to supplies including pads, water, soap, and bathrooms, as well as information about periods – affects 15 million girls across the country, limiting school participation. Adolescent girls also experience higher unemployment and underrepresentation in apprenticeships.

Violence remains a critical issue in Brazil, with one case of sexual violence against girls reported every eight minutes in 2023. In 2020, 14 per cent of births across the country involved adolescent mothers, often leading to educational and economic setbacks.

“School is very important as a support network, especially in a marginal area like where we live,” said 14-year-old Kizzy. “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 works with the Government of Brazil and local authorities to improve education, protection, and employment opportunities for vulnerable girls and boys in neighbourhoods such as Cidade Tiradentes that face high levels of violence, poverty and out-of-school children.

During the visit, Millie also met with school staff and learned about UNICEF’s Active School Search project that helps identify children who are out of school and support their return to the classroom. To conclude, Millie helped paint a mural with students and joined a physical education class to play a traditional Brazilian game of capoeira.

“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.

During her time in Sao Paolo, Millie spent time with UNICEF Brazil Ambassador Maisa Silva to discuss their work with UNICEF and girls’ rights.