THE RHYTHM
OF LIFE.
Our projects help young girls at risk in Brazil to stay safe and flourish.
Here's how we make a difference.
Meninadança works in four key towns along the BR-116's 'corridor of child prostitution', reaching and rescuing girls who are victims of, or vulnerable to, abuse and sexual exploitation.
In communities along the highway, a local culture exists which sees abuse and exploitation of children as normal and acceptable, a notion which even influences the actions of local law enforcers and the justice system.
Our interventions, then, are wholistic and wide-ranging, from empowering girls to challenging local deeply-entrenched attitudes and bringing abusers to justice.
WHO WE WORK WITH
THE GIRLS -
FIRST & FOREMOST
Our four Pink Houses in Medina, Cândido Sales, Catují & Padre Paraíso work with 170 girls, aged 10-17, in situations of risk and vulnerability.
THEIR FAMILIES - SECURING LASTING CHANGE
Our family teams assist the girls’ parents and siblings, providing material help and encouraging change and reconciliation.
THEIR COMMUNITIES - BREAKING THE CYCLE
We engage with the wider community through art, campaigns and direct intervention to encourage people to see and treat girls differently.
WHAT WE DO
THE PINK HOUSES
Our Pink Houses provide safe, all-female environments for girls, where they find friendship, people they can trust and creative activities which help them take back control of their lives and face the future with confidence and without fear. Our teams also work with the girls' families, promoting change and reconciliation.
CAMPAIGNS
Meninadança challenges and confronts a local acceptance of the sexual abuse and exploitation of children.
We use street art, stunts, public events, leafletting and poster campaigns, as well as community-wide outreach, to get our message across and encourage local people to view and treat girls differently.
LEGAL ACTION
Our team of three lawyers take on cases of violence, abuse or exploitation of girls. As well as helping victims find closure and healing, we believe that the deterrent effect of bringing abusers and exploiters to justice of is key to bringing long-term change.
ADVOCACY &
AWARENESS RAISING
The epidemic of child prostitution along the BR-116 has for years been hidden and unreported. We aim to bring worldwide attention to the scandal, while pressuring authorities in Brazil to acknowledge the issue and take action.
TRAINING &
RESOURCES
We support others working with at-risk girls by conducting training and providing resources. We lead seminars throughout Brazil, run our yearly Spring School and produce materials helping others to support vulnerable girls in their communities.