realize the importance of solving
it. We also work with kids in other
schools in the city and in partner
projects. We use chats, songs,
and stories for children. Our
activities happen in big spaces
in schools where we interact
with other teenagers and discuss
the inequality of gender and the
struggles of women in society.
With children, we talk about
prejudice against girls and tell true
stories of great women like fairy
tales. These events and activities
are supported by students from
other schools.
a student named Eduardo wrote
and sang a special rap song for
my project called “Rexpeita.” It is
about gender equality. Because of
this song, some students changed
their minds about this topic. They
started to talk about how girls
and boys should be treated the
same way. In classes, there is an
activity which teachers support
called “Messengers of the Day”
in which we talk about the life
and works of great women in
society. We talk about women
who are not in our books—great
chemists, physicists, authors, and
poets. In this way, we could show
fellow girls that we too can be
intelligent. We raise awareness
among the students about the
importance of supporting girls
who live in sexist societies worse
than ours, like Malala Yousafzai.
The documentary “He Named Me
Malala” was shown to all students
in school. Her story is starting to
become an inspiration for them.
We also talk openly about violence
against women, so everybody
can understand this problem and
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In Brazil, many girls choose to
leave school because they don’t
know the opportunities they could
have. This is a problem the project
wants to solve. If we give freedom
to young girls today, we will plant
a seed which will germinate
and set them, their daughters,
granddaughters and great
granddaughters free.
be adapted by other countries
and regions based on their own
realities. All activities are made
with standardized banners and
panels. It can contain specific
information for each country such
as statistics and inspirational
female figures. Other activities
such as film screenings can be
adapted too. The entire project
execution follows a carefully
prepared schedule and its
expenses are cheap.
The Rescuing and Valuing Woman
Project doesn’t need a big
structure, or a large amount of
money. What it needs to survive
is to pass on the information and
knowledge to more girls and
motivate them to follow their
dreams.
Big changes take time to happen in
society but little things like this are
very significant in making a better
world for all girls.
The most interesting thing
about this project is that it can
About the Author
Raphaele Godinho is a 17-year-old student based in
Brazil in São Paulo state, in Mairinque city. She took part
in a government program called “Youth Parliament of
MERCOSUR”, which supports her project: “Rescuing And
Valuing Woman”.
Change Magazine September 2017 www.changemag-diinsider.com
www.changemag-diinsider.com Change Magazine September 2017
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