The Spotlight Initiative Programme in Zambia is a comprehensive effort to end violence against women and girls (VAWG) and promote gender equality. The programme seeks to strengthen legislative, policy and data frameworks on gender equality and VAWG by reviewing existing laws such as the Anti-Gender-Based Violence Act to align with national policies and priorities; engaging government stakeholders in targeted trainings; and strengthening capacities of state and non-state actors on gender-transformative approaches to budgeting and planning.
The programme engages key actors at the community level, including educators and traditional and religious leaders, to strengthen prevention efforts, paired with media campaign launches to shift social norms and address the root causes of violence. It supports exchanges with faith and traditional leaders, building capacities on gender equality and ending gender-based violence (GBV). It focuses on local actors as agents of change regarding harmful practices, keeping girls in school and ending child marriage. In parallel, the programme promotes positive masculinities by working with national men’s networks and community leaders. This includes behaviour change activities, identifying male champions, and strengthening youth-led action to address negative social norms.
Spotlight Initiative in Zambia also implements life skills and health education programmes in schools, building the capacity of teachers and school leadership to address complex social norms that limit girls' participation and retention in education. In addition, it empowers adolescent girls, including those at risk of child marriage, by building their agency and self-confidence to seek services related to family planning, GBV, sexual and reproductive health, and HIV.
Additionally, the programme aims to improve multi-sectoral services, including one-stop centres and fast-track courts, while addressing emerging issues like technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV). Critically, the programme adopts a survivor-centered approach, prioritizing the rights and needs of the most vulnerable groups, including women living in rural areas, girls with disabilities, and migrants including those involved in cross-border trade and sex work. Geographically, the initiative will focus on Muchinga, Eastern and Lusaka provinces, targeting areas with high rates of child marriage, adolescent pregnancy and gender-based violence. The expansion of safe spaces and psychosocial support services for survivors of violence, particularly in underserved areas, remains a programmatic priority and key focus area.
Spotlight Initiative in Zambia strengthens capacities of women’s rights organizations and civil society through advocacy training and coalition-building to influence policy and hold duty-bearers accountable. Additionally, by integrating data-driven decision-making and participatory monitoring, and conducting targeted analyses focused on gender, the programme seeks to create sustainable, transformative change, ensuring women and girls can live free from violence and harmful practices.
Direct beneficiaries: 5,000 | Indirect beneficiaries: 30,000
UN Agencies
IOM, UNDP, UNESCO and UNFPA
Lead photo: UN Women/Urjasi Radra
