Spotlight Initiative – eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls
Initiated by the European Union and the United Nations
Gender equality and women's and girls' empowerment are at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and crucial to its achievement.
The European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) are embarking on a new, global, multi-year initiative focused on eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG) - the Spotlight Initiative.
The Initiative is so named as it brings focused attention to this issue, moving it into the spotlight and placing it at the centre of efforts to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
An initial investment in the order of EUR 500 million will be made, with the EU as the main contributor. Other donors and partners will be invited to join the Initiative to broaden its reach and scope. The modality for the delivery will be a UN multi- stakeholder trust fund, administered by the Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office, with the support of core agencies UNDP, UNFPA and UN Women, and overseen by the Executive Office of the UN Secretary-General.
#SpotlightEndViolence Download Spotlight Initiative Overview
Speech by Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed | Speech by EU Commissioner Neven Mimica
Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today
It is a major obstacle to the fulfilment of women’s and girls’ human rights and to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It occurs worldwide, cutting across all generations, nationalities, communities and spheres of our societies, irrespective of age, ethnicity, disability or other background.
The Initiative will respond to all forms of VAWG, with a particular focus on domestic and family violence, sexual and gender-based violence and harmful practices, femicide, trafficking in human beings and sexual and economic (labour) exploitation. In line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Initiative will fully integrate the principle of ‘leaving no one behind’.
Join us in partnership so that this bold and transformative Initiative is matched by equally ambitious political action, resources and knowledge. We invite everyone to support the Spotlight Initiative’s goal of making a real and lasting difference in the lives of all women and girls around the world.