SÃO PAULO, 20 de março de 2025 – A Embaixadora Global do UNICEF, Millie Bobby Brown, encontrou adolescentes brasileiras e crianças durante sua visita a São Paulo, Brasil, nesta semana, para conhecer suas histórias, os desafios que enfrentam e como estão correndo atrás de seus sonhos.
Na segunda-feira, 17, a atriz indicada ao Emmy – que, no início deste mês, discursou na sede das Nações Unidas durante a Comissão sobre a Situação da Mulher (CSW) em defesa dos direitos das meninas – visitou a EMEF Profa. Olinda Menezes Serra Vidal, em Cidade Tiradentes, São Paulo, e se reuniu com um grupo de meninas adolescentes.
On 17 March 2025 in São Paulo, Brazil, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Millie Bobby Brown shares a light moment with Alice, a 6-year-old first-grade student, while visiting Olinda Menezes Serra Vidal Elementary School. Alice has spastic quadriplegia, communicates through gestures, and is a very happy child. She participates in all activities and enjoys doing what everyone else does. Millie and Alice played and laughed together like longtime friends.
SÃO PAULO, 19 March 2025 – 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 lac
On 17 March 2025 in São Paulo, Brazil, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Millie Bobby Brown takes a selfie with the students at Olinda Menezes Serra Vidal Elementary School, which is located in a vulnerable neighbourhood where UNICEF operates.
SÃO PAULO, 19 March 2025 – 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 exper
On 17 March 2025 in São Paulo, Brazil, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Millie Bobby Brown (left) chats with girl students at Olinda Menezes Serra Vidal Elementary School, which is located in a neighbourhood where UNICEF works. Millie and the girls discuss the importance of education, empowerment, and opportunities for girls, especially those living in vulnerable communities.
SÃO PAULO, 19 March 2025 – 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
On 17 March 2025 in São Paulo, Brazil, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Millie Bobby Brown speaks with 11-year-old student Catarina while visiting Olinda Menezes Serra Vidal Elementary School. Catarina speaks with Millie about her experience as a girl in Brazil, challenges she faces and her dreams for the future.
SÃO PAULO, 19 March 2025 – 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
On 17 March 2025 in São Paulo, Brazil, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Millie Bobby Brown joins children in painting a mural at the Olinda Menezes Serra Vidal Elementary School, which is located in a vulnerable neighbourhood where UNICEF works.
SÃO PAULO, 19 March 2025 – 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 ex
On 17 March 2025 in São Paulo, Brazil, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Millie Bobby Brown (centre, in black T-shirt) chats with girl students at Olinda Menezes Serra Vidal Elementary School, which is located in a neighbourhood where UNICEF works. Millie and the girls discuss the importance of education, empowerment, and opportunities for girls, especially those living in vulnerable communities.
SÃO PAULO, 19 March 2025 – 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
“Sou muito grata ao UNICEF pela oportunidade de conhecer as adolescentes, assim como os professores”, disse Millie. “Fiquei especialmente emocionada por passar um tempo com várias adolescentes na escola, ouvindo e aprendendo sobre suas histórias e experiências pessoais. Conversamos sobre a importância de nos apoiarmos mutuamente diante dos desafios, e quis que elas se sentissem fortalecidas para tomar decisões sobre seu futuro. Elas são incrivelmente inspiradoras, e sei que continuarão sendo a mudança em suas comunidades.”
As adolescentes compartilharam com Millie alguns dos obstáculos que enfrentam, incluindo o tratamento desigual entre meninos e meninas na escola, a importância da educação – especialmente em relação à dignidade menstrual – e a necessidade de as meninas defenderem seus próprios direitos. Elas destacaram a necessidade de mais apoio e incentivo para meninas.
No Brasil, as adolescentes enfrentam muitas restrições a seus direitos. A pobreza menstrual – falta de acesso a insumos como absorventes, água, sabão e banheiros, bem como a informações sobre menstruação – afeta 15 milhões de meninas em todo o país, limitando sua participação na escola. Além disso, as adolescentes enfrentam taxas mais altas de desemprego e sub-representação em programas de aprendizagem profissional.
A violência continua sendo um problema crítico no Brasil, com um caso de violência sexual contra meninas sendo registrado a cada oito minutos em 2023. Em 2020, 14% dos nascimentos no país foram de mães adolescentes, o que frequentemente leva a dificuldades educacionais e econômicas.
“A escola é muito importante como rede de apoio, especialmente em uma área periférica como a nossa”, disse Kizzy de Souza, de 14 anos. “Muitas crianças muitas vezes não entendem certos temas por falta de informação e vivem em extrema pobreza. Ter a escola como um espaço de suporte para os alunos é essencial, e colocar os estudantes em primeiro lugar é sempre muito importante”.
O UNICEF trabalha com o Governo do Brasil e autoridades locais para melhorar a educação, a proteção e as oportunidades de emprego para meninas e meninos vulneráveis em bairros como Cidade Tiradentes, que enfrentam altos níveis de violência, pobreza e evasão escolar.
Durante a visita, Millie também se reuniu com funcionários da escola e conheceu a Busca Ativa Escolar, iniciativa do UNICEF que contribui com os municípios para identificar crianças fora da escola e garantir seu retorno à sala de aula. Para encerrar a visita, Millie ajudou a pintar um mural com as crianças e participou de uma aula de educação física, jogando capoeira.
“Millie é uma inspiração para meninas no Brasil e no mundo. Sua visita ao Brasil, especialmente sua conversa com as adolescentes, foi uma oportunidade única para inspirar as meninas brasileiras a acreditarem em seu pleno potencial”, disse Youssouf Abdel-Jelil, Representante do UNICEF no Brasil.
Durante sua estadia em São Paulo, Millie passou um tempo com a Embaixadora do UNICEF Brasil, Maisa Silva, para discutir seu trabalho com o UNICEF e os direitos das meninas.
Para mais informações, entre em contato: Elisa Meirelles Reis, UNICEF Brasil, Tel: +55 61 98156-61649, ereis@unicef.org Helen Wylie, UNICEF Nova York, Tel: +1 917 244 2215, hwylie@unicef.org
Sobre o UNICEF
O UNICEF, Fundo das Nações Unidas para a Infância, trabalha para proteger os direitos de cada criança e adolescente, em todos os lugares, especialmente os mais vulneráveis, nos locais mais remotos. Em mais de 190 países e territórios, fazemos o que for preciso para ajudar crianças e adolescentes a sobreviver, prosperar e alcançar seu pleno potencial. Em 2025, o UNICEF comemora 75 anos no Brasil.
O trabalho do UNICEF é financiado inteiramente por contribuições voluntárias.
