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MENINADANCA FIGHTS CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND TRAFFICKING ON BRAZIL’S BR-116 HIGHWAY

EMPOWERING GIRLS

We work with over 400 girls aged 11-17 every day at five Pink Houses in towns along the 300km ‘child prostitution corridor’ of the BR-116.

CHANGING THE CULTURE

We are leading families and neighbourhoods in communities along the BR-116 to rethink how they view and value girls.

FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE

We are fighting for change by speaking out for vulnerable girls, lobbying authorities and bringing abusers and exploiters to justice.

WHERE WE WORK

Meninadança works in five towns on the BR-116, in the north of Minas Gerais state and the south of Bahia state. Our main office is in Belo Horizonte, the state capital of Minas Gerais. We also have projects in the region of Brumadinho and Betim.

FIGHTING FOR GIRLS ON FIVE FRONTS

The scandal of child sexual exploitation along the BR-116 has multiple causes, from an entrenched cultural acceptance of abuse and exploitation to an often corrupt judiciary.

That’s why we are fighting it on several different fronts.

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.

 

THE JUSTICE TEAM

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.

 

CHANGING MINDS PROGRAMME

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.

 

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.

 

 

“Until the day girls are protected and valued, until child prostitution is no longer tolerated, until God’s light and love penetrates every dark place, even in the remotest corners of Brazil. We invite you to join us.”

Matt Roper, Highway to Hell

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