**Catalyzing Change: Spotlight Initiative Celebrates Progress in Combating Gender-Based Violence**
The eradication of gender-based violence against women and girls hinges on their involvement in all decision-making processes, asserts Erin Kenny, the Global Coordinator of the Spotlight Initiative. This initiative, a collaboration between the United Nations and the European Union, has been dedicated to addressing various forms of violence against women and girls since its inception in 2017. Its efforts encompass preventing violence, sexual and gender-based violence (GBV), femicide, human trafficking, and labor exploitation. Globally, statistics reveal that one in three women has experienced physical or sexual violence, with certain regions reporting even higher figures. Below are key achievements of the initiative, as highlighted in a recent report that showcases its innovative strategies and consistent accomplishments over the past seven years.
**Empowerment Initiatives in Zimbabwe**
In Zvimba, Zimbabwe, rural women with disabilities gather to advocate for their rights. Ndakaitei Matare, a mother and leader of a disability support group, has experienced the obstacles of living with a disability, facing challenges related to education, assistive devices, and economic opportunities from a young age. Through a partnership between Spotlight and the local government, Ndakaitei and her peers have gained empowerment by raising awareness about GBV, rights, and inclusion through support groups. “We are capable of achieving a lot if we unite and collaborate,” she emphasized, showcasing how knowledge and community engagement can lead to transformative change.
**Access to Justice for Survivors**
Access to justice for survivors of sexual violence has notably improved, with the establishment of Victim-Friendly Courts providing secure environments for women and children. The Judicial Services Commission has also enhanced support for survivors by offering transport and food allowances and has expanded the number of courts with designated separation rooms by three.
**Assisting Child Survivors in Haiti**
During the summer of 2023, Taina*, a teenage survivor of gender-based violence, was abducted and held captive by a gang in Haiti for a week. She described her experience as a ‘nightmare week’ during which she was raped multiple times. As the only minor among the captives, Taina received vital assistance through Spotlight, including medical care, psychological support, housing, microfinance opportunities, training for income generation, school fees, and emergency relocation. “In this environment, I could finally breathe,” she shared, looking ahead with aspirations to become a police officer while also planning to resume her studies in beauty treatment and culinary arts.
**Addressing Sexual Violence in Haiti**
In Haiti, over one-third of women have faced violence from intimate partners. Approximately 30 percent of women of childbearing age have experienced physical violence, with nearly half of these cases attributed to intimate partners. Additionally, 12 percent of women have encountered sexual violence, including many girls aged 15 to 17.
**Supporting Rights for Migrant Workers in Thailand**
Namwaan*, who left Myanmar in 2003 for better opportunities in Thailand, initially found work in a textile factory. She recounted her experience of laboring long hours for minimal pay, stating, “I had to work 12-16 hours a day for just 70 baht ($3).” Women migrant workers often use terms like invisible, exploited, abused, and silenced to describe their working conditions. Due to her limited proficiency in Thai, Namwaan was unable to negotiate her work terms and feared retaliation from her employer. “Some of my colleagues were harassed, detained, or physically abused when they spoke out about their conditions,” she reported.
Through awareness campaigns, support desks at airports, and training for service providers, the Spotlight Initiative has highlighted the risks faced by women migrant workers. For Namwaan, this training provided a vital opportunity to connect with others who have endured similar abuses. “I felt completely connected to their stories,” she expressed. “This program offers hope for millions of women seeking decent work free from violence.”
**Banning Corporal Punishment in Tajikistan**
In a significant policy development, Tajikistan became the 66th country to prohibit corporal punishment in 2023, a change facilitated by the Spotlight Initiative. Collaborating with the Ministry of Health, the initiative has set up 15 victim support rooms that provide integrated medical, psychological, and referral services, including short-term shelter. The initiative has also fostered community transformations by empowering religious leaders to advocate for gender equality and engage in violence prevention efforts. Spotlight has assisted in establishing a national incident reporting mechanism in over 300 schools, which the government has pledged to expand nationwide by 2030.
