Advancing gender equality with signature on the implementation of the Spotlight Initiative Africa Regional Programme 2.0
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – The African Union Commission (AUC), the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU) took a bold step toward advancing gender equality and eliminating violence against women and girls (VAWG) today with the signing of the regional agreement on the implementation of the Spotlight Initiative Africa Regional Programme 2.0 (SIARP 2.0) as well as a declaration of intent. Held at the African Union Commission Headquarters in Addis Ababa, this milestone event builds on the successes of the first phase of the programme (2020-2023) and aims to drive impactful regional and country-level action against VAWG, harmful practices, and to promote sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) across Africa.
The regional agreement was signed by the UN Development Coordination Office (UN DCO) Regional Director for Africa, Mr. Yacoub El-Hillo and the Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development of the African Union Commission, Her Excellency Ambassador Minata Cessouma Samate. The declaration of intent was signed by all three partners with His Excellency Ambassador Javier Niño Pérez signing on behalf of the European Union Delegation to the African Union.
SIARP 1.0 saw expanded policy and legal action, stronger partnership and coordination in efforts to eliminate VAWG and to lead to the adoption of the AU Convention on the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls. Building on these achievements, phase two will expand efforts to strengthen policy and legal frameworks, enhance prevention and response mechanisms, improve access to survivor-run services, and mobilize civil society organizations (CSOs), youth and women's movements to drive sustainable change.
SIARP 2.0 will be jointly implemented by the AUC, four UN agencies (UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, and UN Women), in partnership with the EU. It will also include a close engagement of Regional Economic Commissions (RECs) and working alongside civil society organizations to ensure grassroots impact.
Speaking during the ceremony, Mr. Yacoub El-Hillo Regional Director for Africa at UNDCO, highlighted the SIARP 2.0 Regional Programme as a testament to the strong partnership between the African Union Commission, the United Nations and the European Union in advancing the rights of women and girls across Africa. He also highlighted the UN's pivotal role in driving coordinated action, ensuring the programme aligns seamlessly with global and regional priorities.
His Excellency Niño Pérez, EU Ambassador to the AU, acknowledged the contributions of the outgoing AU Commissioner and reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to strengthening collaboration among the partners and to reinforce multilateralism in order to end violence against women and girls. He reiterated the European Union's strong dedication to gender equality, women's empowerment, and ending all forms of violence against women and girls and to transforming commitments into real impact.
Speaking at the meeting, her Excellency Ambassador Minata Samate, outgoing AUC Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, reflected on how the SIARP 1.0 provided a crucial platform to better understand the challenges facing women and girls on the continent and to drive meaningful action. The Commissioner reaffirmed the AUC's commitment to making SIARP 2.0 a catalyst for lasting, tangible change across Africa.
In recognition of her outstanding leadership in championing the Spotlight Initiative Africa Regional Programme 1.0, H.E. Ambassador Samate was honored with an award at the signing ceremony. Under her leadership, the initiative laid a strong foundation for regional action on preventing violence against women and girls, strengthening policy frameworks, and fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships that now set the stage for SIARP 2.0.
The programme will be instrumental in advancing Agenda 2063, the Maputo Protocol, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a strong focus on SDG 5: achieving gender equality. As SIARP 2.0 moves forward, the AUC, UN, and EU call on governments, civil society and private sector actors to join this collective effort to create a safer, more inclusive future for women and girls in Africa.
Background:
The Spotlight Initiative Africa Regional Programme aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls in Africa by 2030. Just a few days before the International Women Day (8 March), this signature event highlights the need to reinforce efforts to end violence against women and girls, which can take many forms. It is the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violation in our world today. In conflict-affected countries, displacement, economic insecurity and marred social networks lead to more unstable environments, increasing the risk of sexual violence. Preventing and combating violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a precondition for equitable and inclusive sustainable development, as well as an important value and objective in itself.
More information at spotlightinitiative.org/africa-regional-programme
Press contacts
Dr. Olubusayo Akinola
Head of Division
Social Welfare, Drug Control and Crime Prevention
African Union Commission
AkinolaO@africa-union.org
Ms. Marline Emmely Bos
Associate Expert, Communications
UN Development Coordination Office
marline.bos@un.org
Mr. Biruk Feleke
Press and Information Officer
European Union Delegation to the African Union:
biruk.feleke@eeas.europa.eu
EU Delegation to the AU: Website / X / EEAS Press Material / EEAS YouTube channel
