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The Spotlight Initiative Latin America Regional Programme supported eight national surveys, conducting 9,600 interviews across Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico. The survey provided data on social perceptions of violence against women and girls and femicide. The results showed that verbal abuse and femicide are perceived as the most commonly occurring forms of violence against women and girls, while control over women’s lives was perceived as more acceptable than other forms of violence against women and girls. Further, LGBTQ and older women are…

In preparation for Spotlight Initiative programming in Malawi, an evidence review was commissioned in 2020 to inform preparatory activities and enable evidence-based refinement of programme interventions and strategies across the whole programme, as well as identify knowledge gaps to set the research agenda. This research critically reviewed and synthesised peer-reviewed and grey literature on Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV), Harmful Practices (HP) and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in Malawi, including their causes and drivers. Some of the intrinsic motivations…

Spotlight Initiative in Haiti supported the Determinants of Violence Against Women and Girls study, which highlighted the political and economic sociocultural factors (values, religious beliefs, attitudes and behaviours) that instigate or support violence against women and girls, particularly domestic violence. The results of this study have informed the “Pathways for a Prevention” strategy, which will feed into the national violence against women and girls prevention model and the national education programme for the elimination of domestic violence against women and girls.

As part of Spotlight Initiative, UNFPA in Timor Leste mapped quantitative and qualitative data on violence against women and girls in order to inform capacity building and training on data literacy and gender statistics for civil servants. Specifically, data was collected in Dili, Bobonaro, Viqueque and Ermera and involved a literature review and secondary analysis of the 2015-2016 Demographic and Health Survey. The mapping reviewed types of violence (physical, sexual and emotional), demographic characteristics, behavioural factors, vulnerable groups, and help-seeking behaviour. Overall, the…

In Liberia, the Spotlight Initiative programme has a Comprehensive Prevention Strategy that was developed through a coordinated and multi-stakeholder approach reinforcing government, civil society, and community ownership. This strategy informs all efforts to prevent sexual gender-based violence (SGBV), harmful practices and promote sexual and reproductive health and rights, and supports implementation of the Rape Law, Domestic Violence Law, and government-led Anti-SGBV Roadmap that protects women and girls from violence. Some key elements of the strategy include:

Social behavioural…

In 2021, Spotlight Initiative partnered with the National Sports Secretariat in Argentina to launch the #NoEsNormalEsViolencia (It’s Not Normal, It’s Violence) campaign. This campaign aimed to end derogatory comments, ridicule, sexual harassment, and sexist expressions that belittle women and LGBTQI+ people, deepen inequalities and constitute forms of VAWG.

They developed a set of campaign materials, including posters, signs and pamphlets of varying sizes that were designed to go in different areas of sports clubs. For example, some materials were designed to go in the bathrooms, some on…

In 2020, Spotlight Initiative supported a National Parenting Programme in Grenada with a campaign called “Step Up Your Parenting Game”. This campaign targeted men and women who were parents and guardians. The focus of the messaging was on improving parenting approaches for the benefits of their children. This campaign included a number of sub-messages including:

“No matter who, no matter, what, there is no excuse for abuse”
“Children need their fathers: they need love, support and encouragement”
“Feeling stressed? Check your B.E.T. (body, environment, thoughts)”
“Communicate with your…

In 2021, Spotlight Initiative in Tajikistan supported the establishment of the School of Gender Activists (SGA). This initiative is the first-of-its-kind, aimed at building the capacities of CSOs working to end VAWG. The SGA works to train up local experts who can advise the Committee of Women and Family Affairs, as well as other ministries implementing and promoting gender policies in Tajikistan. The programme to establish the SGA was split into two phases. The first focused on individuals already working within NGOs, while the second targeted youth aged 18-35. The programme also engaged with…

In 2022, the Spotlight Initiative programme in Trinidad and Tobago aimed to improve CSOs’ access to grants through a three-tiered approach of stakeholder consultations, capacity building, and adapting processes to be more context-relevant. The objective was to support resource mobilisation and increase institutional, operational and technical capacities for long-term and sustainable work on EVAWG. 

The programme began by consulting a Civil Society National Reference Group to discuss feedback on Spotlight Initiative’s funding opportunities and requirements. CSOs provided feedback that the…

In 2019, Spotlight Initiative’s Africa Regional programme conducted a mapping of 779 civil society organisations and community-based organisations, including 45 networks and coalitions, 11 groups of people with disabilities, 7 groups of people affected by HIV/Aids, one Albino group and 13 LGBTQI+ organisations. This database helped capture themes, existing strengths, gaps and capacities of these organisations. Spotlight Initiative was then able to provide targeted support across these organisations.

Following this, Spotlight Initiative established CSO Secretariats across the five focus…