Girls soccer in Brazil, changing gender norms

As part of our ongoing commitment to safeguarding and child development, girls aged 9 to 14 who participate in our futsal classes in local state schools are also receiving targeted Protection and Self-Knowledge Workshops. These sessions provide a safe, age-appropriate space for girls to learn about their bodies, strengthen their confidence, and develop essential knowledge for adolescence.

To understand the purpose and impact of these workshops, we spoke with Andressa Silva, ACER Brasil’s Safeguarding Manager and the facilitator responsible for leading the activities. “The workshops aim to broaden the girls’ awareness and understanding of their bodies during this stage of growth — this transition from childhood to adolescence. We work on body care and introduce the idea of a conscious family to show what this body is and how to take care of hygiene. We also address menstruation, gradually structuring the workshops to build awareness and strengthen the girls’ knowledge of their own bodies.”

These sessions help the girls navigate an important developmental phase with clarity, dignity, and confidence.

Andressa highlights that the girls express a strong need to talk openly: “The girls need to speak about family dynamics — who looks after them, who offers affection — and many times they mention people who are not necessarily trustworthy. Issues arise that reflect the emotional and structural needs within families.” In this way, the workshops become a supportive and protective environment, offering attentive listening, guidance, and emotional safety. Andressa continues sharing that amongst the girls, there is a lack of accessible information about bodily changes: “What stands out most is the lack of knowledge about the growth of pubic hair, breast development, period cramps. These are topics many families are embarrassed or afraid to discuss. We also explain how to use a sanitary pad and how to recognise signs that the first period is approaching.” So for many of the girls, this is the first time they receive clear, practical information about their bodies and how they function; this is because “Some girls, especially those aged 13 and 14 who trained at Fabiola, had very basic content at school, but nothing with the depth we cover. Some schools mention the topic lightly; others don’t address it at all. So it isn’t present everywhere.” The workshops therefore fill a crucial gap, ensuring children receive reliable, age-appropriate, and sensitive guidance — something essential for their healthy development and protection. In addition, at the end of the workshop, each girl receives a bag filled with personal hygiene products so that they can put into practice at home all that they have learned.

The Protection and Self-Knowledge Workshops complement ACER Brasil’s sports activities by supporting girls holistically — physically, emotionally, and socially. By integrating safeguarding practices into the futsal programme, ACER strengthens its mission to create safe, empowering environments for all children and adolescents.