Brazilian women's football social and educational programs

Former and current members of the Brazilian women's national football team have launched initiatives to engage with students through social and educational projects.

In Porto Alegre, defender Bruna Benites participated in a discussion with over 50 girls at Escola Vinícius de Moraes through the ‘ABC da Bola com as Meninas’ project. This initiative, led by Eduarda Luzielli and operating across 15 units in Rio Grande do Sul, uses sports as a tool for social inclusion and development for girls aged 10 to 17. The project is supported by partnerships including the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) and CEEE Equatorial.

In Rio de Janeiro, veteran players Marisa Pires (Caju), Maria Lúcia Lima (Fia), and Marilza Martins (Pelezinha) launched the ‘Pioneiras nas Escolas’ (Pioneers in Schools) program. At the Juan Antonio Samaranch Municipal School in Santa Teresa, these athletes met with over 100 students to mentor them through football tournaments and interactive discussions. Coordinated by former player Duda Luizelli in partnership with the Rio de Janeiro Municipal Education Secretariat, the program aims to use football for empowerment and gender equality as part of the city's preparations for the 2027 Women's World Cup.

These efforts highlight the evolution of the sport following the period between 1941 and 1979 when women's football was legally prohibited in Brazil under Decree-Law 3.199, which deemed the sport incompatible with women's nature.