LAGOS, Nigeria – The Spotlight Initiative Africa Regional Programme (SIARP) together with representatives from eight African countries currently implementing the initiative united in their dedication to eliminate gender-based violence in Africa, and deliberated strategies and best practices, in Lagos from 22–24 August.
Emphasizing the dire reality of countless African women and girls daily, the workshop sought to reinvigorate existing endeavours and catalyse innovative, sustainable interventions.
"Our collective vision for a prosperous Africa underscores the essential contributions of women and girls,” said Victoria Maloka of the African Union Commission (AUC). “This initiative aligns seamlessly with the broader African agenda, calling for robust investments at every level to expedite the transformation."
Echoing the global commitment to international frameworks, the inaugural discussions highlighted the primacy of governments in upholding obligations such as the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the AU 2063 Agenda, and regional commitments like the Maputo Protocol.
Representing the United Nations Development Coordination Office (UNDCO), Hadana Youssouf emphasized that "Addressing gender-based violence is central to our commitment to human rights and achieving the 2030 SDGs. National governments must not merely endorse international frameworks but must actively institutionalize and embody these principles."
Significant milestones were showcased, notably Nigeria's extension of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law and South Sudan's embrace of the Maputo Protocol, both attributing their successes to civil society advocacy.
Marianne Foulah, representing the Spotlight Initiative in Mali, noted, "The Spotlight partnership has breathed fresh life into our strategies, fostering advancements in women's rights and broader societal well-being."
The discussion highlighted the importance of data-driven approaches to combating gender-based violence. It also underscored the importance of culturally sensitive and evidence-based interventions. The pivotal role of community-driven solutions was also a recurring theme, with participants affirming the transformative potential of grassroots mobilization and collaborative partnerships between governments and communities.
The concluding sessions focused on innovative financial frameworks for the forthcoming Spotlight Initiative phase, with Spotlight Initiative Africa Programme Coordinator Julius Otim underscoring the importance of regional alignment: "While the Spotlight Initiative may evolve, its foundational objectives remain unwavering. African nations' proactive participation ensures streamlined strategies and enhanced multilateral cooperation."
About the Spotlight Initiative
An emblematic partnership between the UN, EU, and AU, the SIARP aims to robustly counteract gender-based violence and associated harmful practices. With deep roots in strategic frameworks like the African Union's Gender Strategy, the UN Agenda 2030, and the Maputo Action Plan, the initiative fosters significant positive change across countries such as Mozambique, Niger, Uganda, Malawi, Liberia, Zimbabwe, Mali and Nigeria.
