Anything a man can do a woman can do too

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Anything a man can do a woman can do too

Anything a man can do a woman can do too

“Yesterday I argued with my cousin’s husband, he said women can’t do the same things men can. But for me women can do anything men can do, and a man can do anything a woman can do,” says Charlienne.

Yet, in Brazil scores of girls are married by 15 and gender-based violence is all too common. Early marriage is firmly linked to gender-based violence as young girls have their life choices taken away from them. Machisimo can be so entrenched in communities, that it’s the accepted norm.

“Most women are abused” says Raimunda, Charlienne’s mother, “people in the community stay quiet about it”, she adds. Raimunda’s husband was very violent towards her, and Charlienne and her sister witnessed their dad abusing their mum on a daily basis.

Charlienne is determined not to get trapped in the same cycle of violence as her mother. The 17 year old feels strongly about the issue of violence in her community and Charlienne makes sure men understand the importance of equality.

Charlienne herself was married at 17 and has a child, “marriage and pregnancy wasn’t what I had planned for my life, but it happened. It’s common to get married early in my community.”

Charlienne is tackling gender-based violence in her community

However, Charlienne was determined not to let marriage and teenage pregnancy stop her from going to school, “after my baby was born I returned to school after one month, thanks to my mum and mother-in-law, who helped look after my baby.”

Charlienne has been involved in Plan International Brazil’s programmes for three years. At her school they talk about violence against women, sexual violence, teenage violence and gender issues. “I now feel confident I can speak up for my rights.”

“If my husband was violent to me I would get my things, get my son, go to my mother’s house and report him to the police. Violence against women should not be tolerated.”