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Improving the understanding, consolidation and use of VAWG data is a key element of Spotlight Initiative under Pillar 5 (Data), which focuses on improving the quality, accuracy, availability and application of VAWG data. Key approaches and learning include:

Undertaking mappings of existing VAWG data collection and management systems: In some countries, Spotlight Initiative programmes have undertaken an assessment of existing VAWG data and data management systems to identify good practices and gaps in order to provide guidance on how to understand, use and improve data for women and girls…

Spotlight Initiative has engaged in programme scale-up through a variety of methods:

Scaling up training to ensure it reaches more stakeholders. For example, in Uganda in 2021, Spotlight Initiative scaled-up training on gender-responsive budgeting to ensure it could reach more government officials. As a result, the initiative expanded from national to sub-national levels.
Extending the reach of VAWG prevention approaches by implementing them with additional components. For example, in 2021, Spotlight Initiative in Uganda applied the SASA! approach in refugee settlements to raise awareness…

Spotlight Initiative was designed to shift from isolated, project-based efforts to a comprehensive well-funded approach for addressing VAWG, which is aligned with national development priorities and works to accelerate progress to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

It also marks a significant step in UN reform, using a whole-system 'One UN' approach that leverages coordinated and coherent funding and places women and girls at the centre of its efforts.

As one of the first large-scale initiatives focused solely on eliminating VAWG, Spotlight Initiative serves as a demonstration…

Plan for sustainability from the onset: Spotlight Initiative programmes considered the sustainability of interventions from the onset. Key approaches have included: high-level engagement of government throughout implementation; national level interventions such as national action plans, gender-responsive budgeting, capacity development of national and local government institutions; and meaningful engagement of civil society as enduring stakeholders.

Developing sustainability plans or strategies: Spotlight Initiative programmes develop comprehensive sustainability plans which outline…

There are several key principles which have guided Spotlight Initiative's approach to research on VAWG:

Ensure ethical data collection. The safety of women and girl participants should always be prioritised. This requires anonymising data, ensuring secure data storage, developing strong data-sharing protocols, and ensuring all those involved in the data collection, processing and dissemination process are trained on ethical research principles and survivor-centred approaches to research.
Use action-oriented feminist research approaches. This means that research should: focus on the…

A comprehensive theory of change: At the onset, Spotlight Initiative identified four key outcome areas that programming should work to strengthen in order to comprehensively address the root causes, drivers and consequences of VAWG:

A) Laws, policies, institutions and data 
B) Prevention (including social norms and women's economic empowerment)
C) Response (essential services for survivors, including justice and accountability)
D) Women’s movements and civil society.

This comprehensive approach provides a framework for stakeholders to select and adapt interventions to their context…

Spotlight Initiative has provided a range of mobile and remote services across contexts. As a result of Covid-19, it increased the number of remote services provided across its programming, applying lessons learned from across contexts to strengthen delivery and innovation. Key approaches and learning include:

Provide support through mobile clinics offering multiple services to all women and girls. Spotlight Initiative programmes have funded clinics open to all women and girls, not only survivors, in Mozambique, Niger, Haiti and Belize. These have offered coordinated sexual and reproductive…

Spotlight Initiative takes a coordinated approach to supporting the reintegration of survivors, recognising the need for multiple, complementary interventions. Key approaches and learning include:

Addressing economic, social and psychological needs: For example, as happened in Malawi, Spotlight Initiative ensured that livelihood and financial support programmes are complemented by the establishment of survivor support groups and advocacy efforts within the communities to which survivors are returning or joining. 
Working with community members and survivors through the establishment of…

Spotlight Initiative has prioritised the provision of mental health and psychosocial support in both its prevention and response work. Key approaches and learning include:

Producing technical guidance on how to mainstream MHPSS into programme and service design and delivery. This seeks to apply the latest evidence and learning on MHPSS into prevention work, as well as quality response services.
Ensuring MHPSS needs assessments inform capacity building and programming. By conducting a needs assessment, the information collected can provide a profound understanding of the struggles with…

Spotlight Initiative takes a multi-sectoral approach to establishing safe spaces, to ensure that survivors - and other women and girls - have access to a variety of services including financial aid, legal aid, economic empowerment opportunities, sexual and reproductive health information, psychosocial support and counselling, and opportunities to develop skills to challenge harmful gender norms safely.

Spotlight Initiative builds safe spaces in collaboration with communities and service providers, especially health and justice services. Part of these efforts involves empowering and training…