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Spotlight Initiative established community and survivor funds to improve access to services for survivors who could not otherwise afford to seek essential services or justice, while also supporting the economic recovery of survivors as part of longer term rehabilitation. Specifically, community and survivor funds were established to:
Improve access to services for survivors and Obstetric Fistula patients (OF) from marginalised and remote areas;
Support the economic recovery of survivors and OF patients as part of their long-term rehabilitation; and
Improve access to justice by…
During the COVID-19 lockdown, Spotlight Initiative tested approaches to working virtually to continue to address violence effectively. Helpline responders and counsellors learned to provide more psychosocial counselling and referral guidance by phone. Key staff from first responders and frontline agencies were trained in using remote means of communication as part of crisis management. The Gender-Based Violence Unit in the Division of Gender and Family Affairs of the Ministry of Social Development, Housing and Community Empowerment developed a COVID-19 response protocol with guidelines for…
The Spotlight Initiative programme in Afghanistan has fostered innovation, laying the groundwork for innovative practices and activities. These include an online civil society platform, which will promote knowledge and information sharing among members of the Eliminating Violence Against Women Forum, and a technology-based solution to real-time monitoring needs called RapidPro / U-Report.
The U-Report is an innovative way to facilitate two-way communication via phones and social media platforms, such as WhatsApp and Viber, to monitor and course-correct programming. Other innovative…
Mozambique has lacked a dedicated hotline to respond to the needs of persons at risk of or survivors of gender-based violence. The one existing service, Fala Criança, had been set up to respond to the needs of children who suffered abuse, but was not available to those over 18.
“Linha Verde 1458 will offer a fast and safe response to women who suffer violence during COVID-19. It is a source of pride for me, as well as my co-workers, to know that we are helping those who do not know where to go, especially during this period of COVID-19.” - Telephone operator at Linha Verde 1458.
To…
In December 2019, Spotlight Initiative established a fleet of Mobile One Stop Centres across Zimbabwe, which aimed to dismantle the barriers that survivors in remote and hard to reach areas faced in accessing GBV response services. As part of this, they supported volunteers engaged in GBV referrals by providing them with data and airtime packages to enable continuous two-way communication between volunteers, survivors, hotlines, and Mobile One Stop Centre teams. They also coordinated shuttle services and fuel for survivors who needed to reach the centres.
Results and feedback from survivors…
In Belize, Spotlight Initiative introduced 'mobile women's centres' in coordination with civil society organisations. The centres' success depends on the meaningful engagement of these groups, who promoted local ownership and trust with communities.
“[The centre is] a great help to women like me. We can get services by visiting the nurse or advice on legal matters which we often don’t get because it comes with a cost. I know the counselling helps so many women here. They feel good being able to talk to someone and get the advice they need. It gives me hope to push forward despite my…
Mozambique is a large country, where over 60 percent of the population lives in rural areas, far from the nearest health facility. Mobile clinics offer clinical screening, treatment, information and referral for GBV cases, especially sexual violence, as well as broader reproductive health and general health services. This setup makes it easier for survivors of violence to approach the mobile clinics, without feeling ashamed or that the reason for the visit will be obvious to others. The mobile clinics bring together medical and drug assistance, sexual and reproductive health services, and…
Children aged 2 to 14 years, clap, stomp their feet, dance and sing under the porch of a small house in a suburb of Timor-Leste’s capital, Dili. The children are taking part in Spotlight Initiative-supported Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) activities under the Child Friendly Space (CFS) initiative organized by the Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion (MSSI), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and non-governmental organization Ba Futuru (for the Future).
"My children look forward to the CFS activities. They sing, dance, are safe and happier.” - Angelina Menes…
Since April 2020, Spotlight Initiative Zimbabwe, in partnership with Padare Men’s Forum on Gender, has built a movement among men and boys to prevent VAWG and achieve positive transformation at the community level. The project seeks to achieve personal transformation in community leaders who can in turn influence their communities; leaders who will change from being viewed as conspirators and potential perpetrators of GBV to being responsive, credible, and effective leaders in addressing GBV.
In addition, the project aims to transform the negative attitudes and beliefs that drive harmful…
In Belize, the extreme shock of two hurricanes coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic led to tension in many homes. Spotlight Initiative engaged parents and children, including those with disabilities, in parenting programmes that addressed gender norms, biased attitudes and family violence, and offered critical mental health support and food assistance, including referrals to other services. Through this process, the programme found that parents were more willing to speak about family violence when their basic humanitarian needs have been met, underscoring the importance of a comprehensive…