Africa: Climate Change Will Result in an Additional 40 Million Women and Girls Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence Every Year, Finds Spotlight Initiative Report

For decades, feminist organizations and women's movements have pointed out that climate change exacerbates violence against women and girls, a human rights violation that already… Read more »

Africa: Sustaining Progress Toward Eliminating Violence Against Women and Girls Through Enhanced Economic Opportunity

During the Eleventh Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development, leaders from governments, international organizations such as the United Nations and… Read more »

Uganda: Hope and Resilience At Kyaka II - a Community's Fight Against Gender-Based Violence

In a place where displacement and hardship are everyday realities, young people are leading a movement against gender-based violence (GBV), with support from Spotlight Initiative. Read more »

Africa: Four Key Lessons On Taking a Global Feminist Approach to Ending Violence Against Women and Girls

On the sidelines of the Sixty-ninth Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, Spotlight Initiative's Civil Society Reference Group organized a side event on how to take a… Read more »

Africa: Group of Friends for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls Hosts High-Level Event to Drive Action On Ending Gender-Based Violence By 2030

On 13 March, leaders from the United Nations (UN), Member and Observer States and civil society met to discuss the urgent work required to fulfil commitments made by UN Member… Read more »

Africa: 'Technology Is a Way of Lifting Up Our Voices' - Celebrating Women Digital Artists On the Sidelines of the Sixty-Ninth Session of the Commission On the Status of Women

During the sixty-ninth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) and in celebration of Women's History Month, Art Republic and Spotlight Initiative hosted a… Read more »

Africa: 'You Cannot Have Men Deciding Things That Affect Women' - Why Women and Girls Must Be At the Centre of Climate Action

Helen Tanielu is a senior lecturer, academic and researcher at the National University of Samoa. Her expertise is around family violence and ending violence against women and girls… Read more »

Africa: 'Impossible Is Just an Opinion' - Uplifting Women in Stem On International Day of Women and Girls in Science

"We can heal, survive and thrive." This was the message astronaut, activist and Rise CEO Amanda Nguyen sent to the 1.3 billion survivors of sexual violence worldwide in her opening… Read more »

Uganda: In Uganda, Parasocial Workers Are Supporting Girls to Say No to FGM and Child Marriage

Aleper Consolata is a 35-year-old parasocial worker from Katileria Village, Loroo parish and a passionate advocate for the rights of girls. Read more »

South Africa: At the SVRI Forum 2024 - a Journey in Comprehensive Evawg Programming: Drawing Lessons for the Sector From the Spotlight Initiative Compendium

During the 2024 Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) Forum in Cape Town, Spotlight Initiative hosted 'A journey in comprehensive EVAWG programming: drawing lessons for the… Read more »

Africa: Uldouz Wallace of Foundation Ra On How to Protect Bodily Autonomy Online

Bodily autonomy is the theme of this year's 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence, which is scaling up to become a year-long campaign. The ability for every person to… Read more »

South Africa: 'My Body Is My Own' - Activists Speak Out

25 November marks International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls and the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence. This year,… Read more »

South Africa: Linking LGBTQI Experiences With Gender-Based Violence Elimination

Spotlight Initiative speaks with Dumiso Gatsha, an activist working to eliminate the barriers between grassroots experiences and global policy-making. They are a member of… Read more »

South Africa: Spotlight Initiative Brings Together Experts and Influencers to Discuss Tech-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence At SVRI

During this year's Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) Forum in Cape Town, South Africa, Spotlight Initiative hosted 'Unfollowing Misogyny: A conversation on digital… Read more »

Africa: Bold Stories - Celebrating the Power of African Women Filmmakers

As the world converged in New York for the Global Africa Business Initiative on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, The Rev Canon Dr. Betsee Parker, Naila Media,… Read more »

Zimbabwe: Rural Women With Disabilities Advocate for Their Rights in Zimbabwe

 Ndakaitei Matare, a mother of one, chairs Ward 38 Disability Support Group in Zvimba, central northern Zimbabwe. After acquiring a physical disability at the age of six, she… Read more »

Nigeria: In Nigeria, Vulnerable Women and Girls Go From Survivors of Violence to Business Owners

Despite making half of the population, women in Nigeria continue to be under-represented in political positions and businesses, with only 20 per cent of enterprises owned by women.… Read more »

Liberia: How Women Peace Huts Are Transforming Lives and Communities in Liberia

Evon Gbarduo lives in Putu, Tiama Town, a community along the Liberian-Ivorian border. Read more »

Africa: Voices From Civil Society - 'Feminist Activists Are Less and Less Safe'

The 68th annual Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68), the UN's largest annual gathering on gender equality and women's empowerment, is taking place this month under the… Read more »

Africa: Voices From Civil Society - 'Investment Must Be Made to Promote Equality and End Inequality'

The 68th annual Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68), the UN's largest annual gathering on gender equality and women's empowerment, is taking place this month under the… Read more »

Ethiopia: In Ethiopia, Three Young Women Advocate for a Community Free From Female Genital Mutilation

Entering adulthood can be a beautiful journey, but for those who have experienced female genital mutilation (FGM), it often carries layers of pain and trauma. FGM leaves a scar… Read more »

Mozambique: Shining a Light On Spotlight Initiative's Impact in Mozambique

Over the past four years, Spotlight Initiative's comprehensive approach to eliminating violence against women and girls has changed lives and communities in Mozambique. Read more »

Liberia: Former Practitioners of FGM Lead the Fight to End Female Genital Mutilation in Liberia

Rebecca Yaoh, 63, is the head of women Zoes (elders) in Naio Town, Grand Gedeh County. Read more »

Liberia: Liberia's Traditional Leaders Work to Eliminate FGM and Harmful Practices

The Traditional Chiefs and Elders of Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County in Eastern Liberia have partnered with Spotlight Initiative in their quest to eradicate female genital mutilation… Read more »

Africa: Meet Five Activists Building a Brighter Future for Women and Girls

One in three women worldwide has experienced physical or sexual violence. Read more »