The project has already impacted the lives of over 2 million girls and helped around 2,200 enter the job market
“My story begins in Freguesia do Ó, in São Paulo, in a home of very strong and determined women, with my mother and grandmother working as street vendors in Brás. I was always very communicative and graduated in journalism.”
“I worked in corporate communications and became an executive. In 2016, I realized I needed a deeper purpose. That’s when I decided to create an organization to impact the lives of girls from underprivileged areas, thinking of the girl I once was — full of creative ideas and dreams, but in need of guidance.”
It was from this reflection that communicator and entrepreneur Vivi Duarte founded the Instituto Plano de Menina (Girl’s Plan Institute), with the goal of inspiring girls to become the protagonists of their own stories and connecting them with major companies in the job market.
“We equip these girls with both technical and emotional skills. They learn about mental health, self-confidence, and self-esteem. In the technical classes, we offer courses in programming, sales, public speaking, and social media, for example,” explains Vivi.
The learning journeys are offered both in person and online, with a duration of three months. To make this happen, the institute relies on mentors who lead the workshops and support the students’ personal development. In-person courses are held monthly or every two weeks, depending on the availability of partner spaces.
The online sessions are thematic, such as Dona do Meu Mundo (Owner of My World), which focuses on financial literacy, self-confidence, self-esteem, and career development. Another program, Você Não é Obrigada! (You’re Not Obliged!) addresses emotional and physical abuse. “We talk about girls’ rights and have a strong support network, in partnership with the Projeto Justiceiras (Justiceiras Project),” says Vivi. There is also room for sustainable fashion in Lacrando Com Muito Pouco (Slaying With Very Little), which teaches about self-image, and Vida Digital, focusing on social media and programming.
At the end of the learning journeys, the students with the highest attendance and standout performance are included in the organization’s Talent Bank. “We have girls working at companies like Unilever, TikTok, Louis Vuitton, Ambev, Boticário, and The Body Shop,” Vivi proudly shares.
“We want to help them take charge of their lives, to overcome financial dependence and break the cycle that often started with their grandmothers. We’re showing them that there are spaces they can occupy—and that they can rewrite their stories,” says Vivi.
More than just placing them in the job market, Plano de Menina is committed to making them feel a sense of belonging in the workplace. “We provide training for the teams that will receive them, and the girls continue to be supported by volunteers and psychologists.”
The creation of this ecosystem is transformative for everyone involved. “There’s a strong sense of sisterhood. Women who want to support other women find a space for connection within the institute,” Vivi highlights.
New opportunities and partnerships
In nine years, Plano de Menina has impacted more than 2 million girls through online journeys and 10,000 through in-person activities, in addition to helping over 2,200 young women enter the job market. The organization is also active in 10 states across Brazil.
To celebrate its impact, the institute created the Plano de Menina Festival, which includes graduation ceremonies for some of the cohorts, along with cultural activities and talks.
The project’s growth has been so remarkable that the organization recently established a partnership with the Brazilian consulate in New York. “We held the Brazilian Fashion Day, a sustainable fashion event designed to promote visibility and self-esteem among Brazilian women. We’re also developing a platform to support these immigrant women, just as we already do in Brazil,” Vivi explains.
Transforming lives
Vivi shares that her own life was transformed by Plano de Menina. “This project is the fulfillment of my childhood dream — it gave me purpose and strength. Today, I’m recognized and awarded, but I know the girls we impact will soar even higher.”
“They already had grit and determination; we simply guided them. Our goal is for them to become owners of their worlds, with financial and emotional independence. This movement boosts GDP, reduces domestic violence, and brings countless benefits to gender equity.”
“What motivates me is seeing the impact of my work and how it gives deeper meaning to my actions as a woman and activist. I think that’s it — not just going through life aimlessly. We need to create impact not only in our own lives but also in the lives of others,” Vivi concludes.
Follow Plano de Menina Project
The opening of new learning journeys is announced on the institute’s website and on its Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn profiles. In addition, calls for new mentors are made once a year.
