Mulheres Mil Program

  • P Project/Program

A Active

Key Information

The Mulheres Mil (Thousand Women) Program is rooted in the principles of respect for the diverse identities of women, acknowledging intersections of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, disability, region, and generation. It prioritizes women from historically marginalized groups, such as Indigenous, Black (including Black and Brown), and Quilombola women, who continue to face the impacts of historical injustices like enslavement. The program reaffirms the right of women in socially vulnerable situations to access professional and technological education, addressing systemic barriers that have long denied them schooling, knowledge, and innovation.

Reintroduced under Ordinance No. 725 of April 13, 2023, the Mulheres Mil Program integrates with federal policies aimed at promoting gender equality across education, work, health, culture, political participation, and decision-making. The Ministry of Education (MEC) has reinforced this commitment by announcing a new call in 2024, providing 16,300 professional qualification course vacancies for women in socioeconomic vulnerability, supported by R$26 million in funding. Running from August 2024 to the end of 2025, this initiative focuses on institutions within the Federal Network of Professional, Scientific, and Technological Education. Building on a 2023 agreement offering 46,000 additional vacancies, MEC has now invested over R$86 million, creating nearly 54,000 opportunities across 446 municipalities since the program's relaunch.

The program leverages the Access, Permanence, and Success Methodology Guide, developed with input from experts to address the complex social vulnerabilities faced by Brazilian women. By offering professional, technical, and adult education tailored to the needs of women aged 16 and over—particularly those living in poverty with limited or no schooling—the program fosters socio-productive inclusion. Delivered through public networks, federal institutions, and technical schools, Mulheres Mil ensures access to education, promotes inclusion, combats gender-based violence, and facilitates women’s active participation in the workforce while safeguarding their rights as citizens.


Lead Implementing Government(s)

Brazil

Location(s)

Latin America & Caribbean

Brazil

Government Affiliation

Government-affiliated program

Years

2023 - 2025

Partner(s)

Not applicable or unknown

Ministry Affiliation

Ministry of Education, Secretariat of Professional and Technological Education, Federal Network of Professional, Scientific and Technological Education

Funder(s)

Not applicable or unknown

COVID-19 Response

Unknown

Geographic Scope

National

Meets gender-transformative education criteria from the TES  

Yes

Areas of Work Back to Top

Education areas

Attainment

  • Post-secondary

Other skills

  • Rights/empowerment education
  • Vocational training

Cross-cutting areas

  • Empowerment
  • Gender equality

Program participants

Target Audience(s)

Other community members - female

Age

Not applicable or unknown

School Enrolment Status

Not applicable or unknown

School Level

  • Vocational

Other populations reached

Not applicable or unknown

Participants include

Not applicable or unknown

Program Approaches Back to Top

Learning while working

  • Vocational training

Other

  • Coordinated Action

Program Goals Back to Top

Education goals

Not applicable or unknown

Cross-cutting goals

  • Increased employment/job-related skills
  • Increased knowledge of rights