FINALIST 2025
The Voices of Freedom project empowers women who have left the prison system by reintroducing them to the day to day life of a society from which they were estranged and teaches them to create Tenerife lace, offering a fresh start and a new perspective on life as entrepreneurs. This European technique, introduced to Brazil at the turn of the 20th century, produces intricate circular and floral designs from cotton threads. Since 2020, the initiative has certified almost 100 women, helping them rebuild their lives and discover strength through art.
"At the Women of Brazil Group, we first engaged with the prison system teaching craftwork. This experience made us realize the importance of supporting these women. It was a success! However, when the pandemic struck, we could no longer visit the facilities. That’s when we were asked to find a way to assist women reentering society after serving their sentences. We soon recognized their extreme vulnerability — isolated, away from their families, and without resources. Moved by this reality, we took them in; that was the beginning of Voices of Freedom." — Annette de Castro, VP at Women of Brazil Group.
The Women of Brazil Group is a non-partisan organization that mobilizes more than 130,000 women, with 152 regional centers in Brazil and abroad. We work on essential causes, such as health, education, gender equality, combating violence and social inclusion, promoting transformations to build a more just and egalitarian society.
We align with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
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