Liberia: How Community Radio Stations Are Raising Awareness of FGM and Violence Against Women and Girls

GANTA, Liberia - Community radio stations are a key way of raising awareness about sexual and gender-based violence, and how to prevent and report it. Meet Ruth Jeffrey and… Read more »

Uganda: In Uganda, Community Dialogues Are Building Harmonious, Violence-Free Homes

KITGUM, Uganda - In Uganda, 95 per cent of women and girls have experienced physical or sexual violence, or both, by partners or non-partners since the age of 15, according to the… Read more »

Malawi: 'I Felt Free Again' - Restoring Hope and Dignity for Fistula Survivors in Malawi

Beyond the pain and physical symptoms, women suffering from fistula frequently suffer ostracism and psychological trauma. The Spotlight Initiative Africa Regional Programme enabled… Read more »

Africa: '97% of Spotlight Initiative Programme Countries Have Sustained Achievements' - Key Takeaways From the Initiative's Sustainability Report

BRUSSELS, Belgium - On 11 December, Spotlight Initiative hosted 'A sustainable legacy: An intimate evening of conversation and insights from global leaders on how seed investments… Read more »

South Africa: It Takes a Village - Ending Violence Through Community and Faith-Based Counselling in Samoa

Lemau Palaamo is President, Co-founder and Counsellor for Soul Talk Samoa Trust, a pastoral counselling agency in Samoa. She is an advocate for ending violence against women girls… Read more »

Africa: Meet the Activists Working to End Digital Violence Against Women and Girls

November 25 marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence -- a civil society-led initiative calling for action to ensure that every woman and girl… Read more »

Uganda: In Uganda, Girls With Tools Are Building a More Gender Equal World

At a garage-turned-classroom on the edge of Kampala, girls and boys in purple overalls are busy fixing engines, welding metal and setting up water pipes. Smart Girls Foundation is… Read more »

Africa: Invest in Women and Girls to Drive Change Across SDGs, Urge Leaders At the Second World Summit for Social Development

During the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, Spotlight Initiative and the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) hosted the side event 'Invest in adequate social… Read more »

Africa: From Commitment to Impact - Lessons From Leaders Coordinating Efforts to End Violence Against Women and Girls

DOHA, Qatar - During the Second World Summit for Social Development, Spotlight Initiative hosted a Solutions Studio conversation to highlight strategies for addressing gender-based… Read more »

Zambia: How One-Stop Centres Are Supporting Gender-Based Violence Survivors to Reclaim Their Futures in Zambia

Under the shade of a mango tree at the Isoka One-stop Centre, Jane Nakamba, 27, sat quietly with her child and reflected on her journey. Read more »

Uganda: From Helpline to Lifeline - Sauti 116 Supports Children and Adults in Uganda

Each day, over 1,025 calls come through a single number: 116. This is Sauti, Uganda's national call and case management centre which provides 24/7 support to children and survivors… Read more »

Africa: Full Speed Ahead - a Global Partnership to Eliminate Violence Against Women and Girls At UNGA80

UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK - During the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, Spotlight Initiative co-hosted a high-level side event to mobilize new commitments towards… Read more »

Uganda: Asserting Women's Land Rights in Rural Uganda

When Lucy's* husband died, she lost more than just her partner - she also lost her home and income. Read more »

Zambia: Working Together to End Gender-Based Violence in Eastern Province, Zambia

The United Nations and the Government of Zambia officially kicked off Spotlight Initiative in the country with an inception visit to the Eastern Province, one of the regions where… Read more »

Sierra Leone: Spotlight Initiative to End Violence Against Women and Girls Launched in Sierra Leone

The Government of Sierra Leone has officially launched Spotlight Initiative, the UN high-impact initiative to end all forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG). Read more »

Africa: Spotlight Initiative Increases Momentum for Ending Violence Against Women and Girls At the Fourth International Conference On Financing for Development

SEVILLE, Spain - At the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) in Seville, Spain, Spotlight Initiative hosted a side event to catalyse and scale up… Read more »

Uganda: In Uganda, Supporting Rape Survivors to Rebuild Their Lives

KAMPALA, Uganda - Fourteen-year-old Mary* was working as a maid in Kampala when she was raped by a security guard. Following this traumatic experience, she returned to her village… Read more »

Africa: How Kup Women for Peace Is Ending Conflict and Supporting Survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

- 19 June marks International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, a day to reflect on the impact of this heinous war crime and the need to stand with survivors… Read more »

Zambia: Spotlight Initiative Launched in Zambia

Actor Chungu Chintelelwe is used to being in the public eye, but for years she carried a painful secret. Ms. Chungu endured years of emotional abuse from her partner that later… Read more »

Africa: Meeting the Moment - Promoting Long-Term Investment in Ending Violence Against Women and Girls in Fragile Settings On the Sidelines of the European Humanitarian Forum

On May 19, Spotlight Initiative hosted an event on the sidelines of the European Humanitarian Forum titled 'Meeting the Moment: Investment in Long-Term Programming to Address… Read more »

Uganda: Investing in Girls' Education in Uganda's Largest Refugee Settlement

Ritah is an 11-year-old Congolese refugee residing in Kyaka II refugee settlement in Western Uganda. Tragically, she lost both her parents shortly after starting school and now… Read more »

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 »