Advanced Search

In response to the alarming rise in femicides in Mexico, particularly in Chihuahua State, Spotlight Initiative worked to strengthen legal frameworks against gender-based violence. Despite existing laws like ‘Norma Oficial Mexicana’ and the General Law on Women’s Access to a Life Free of Violence, femicides continued to increase, driven by deep-rooted gender inequalities and weak law enforcement.

Spotlight Initiative undertook a comprehensive assessment of Chihuahua’s legal policies with Grupo de Accion por los Derechos Humanos y la Justicia Social A.C. (Action Group for Human Rights and…

In Liberia, Spotlight Initiative developed a partnership with nearly 450 traditional leaders to shift community perceptions and practices surrounding female genital mutilation (FGM). In Liberia, approximately half of women and girls aged 15 to 49 have undergone FGM, according to the 2013 Demographic and Health Survey.

“We have started to respect and value our wives, women and girls, treating them with love and care.” - Chief Wilfred Gahr, Co-Chairman for Administration of the Traditional Council of Chiefs and Elders of Liberia

By leveraging the influence and authority of traditional…

Spotlight Initiative in Honduras has supported the ‘Cure Violence’ model – a transformative approach aimed at reshaping social norms to address the alarming rates of femicide and violence against women and girls. Honduras has the highest femicide rate in Latin America at 6 cases per 100,000 women in 2022, with a culture of impunity where 96% of such crimes go unpunished. This UNICEF-supported initiative involves mobilising communities to change social norms in areas affected by gang violence and trafficking. It uses ‘violence interrupters’ to lead community dialogues and efforts to identify…

Spotlight Initiative's Latin America Regional Programme supported eight national surveys, conducting 9,600 interviews across Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico. These surveys provided data on social perceptions of violence against women and girls and femicide. The results showed that verbal abuse and femicide were perceived as the most commonly occurring forms of violence against women and girls, while control over women’s lives was perceived as more acceptable than other forms of violence against women and girls. The survey findings and…

In Malawi, Spotlight Initiative commissioned an evidence review to inform programme and activity design, as well as identify knowledge gaps to inform the programme's research agenda. This research looked across and synthesised peer-reviewed and grey literature on Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV), Harmful Practices (HP) and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in Malawi, including their causes and drivers. This revealed that drivers included religion, culture and educational attainment. Some of the extrinsic motivations, which came through this research process, included law…

Spotlight Initiative in Haiti supported the Determinants of Violence Against Women and Girls study, which highlighted the political and economic sociocultural factors (values, religious beliefs, attitudes and behaviours) that instigate or support violence against women and girls, particularly domestic violence. The results of this study  informed the “Pathways for a Prevention” strategy, the national violence against women and girls prevention model and the national education programme for the elimination of domestic violence against women and girls.Read the Haiti Final Cumulative Report. 

As part of Spotlight Initiative, UNFPA in Timor Leste mapped quantitative and qualitative data on violence against women and girls in order to inform capacity building and training on data literacy and gender statistics for civil servants. Specifically, data was collected in Dili, Bobonaro, Viqueque and Ermera and involved a literature review and secondary analysis of the 2015-2016 Demographic and Health Survey. The mapping reviewed types of violence (physical, sexual and emotional), demographic characteristics, behavioural factors, vulnerable groups, and help-seeking behaviour. Overall, the…

In Spotlight Initiative's first phase of programming in Liberia, the programme developed a Comprehensive Prevention Strategy through a coordinated and multi-stakeholder approach reinforcing government, civil society, and community ownership. This strategy informed all efforts to prevent sexual gender-based violence (SGBV), harmful practices and promote sexual and reproductive health and rights. It was designed to support the implementation of the Rape Law, Domestic Violence Law, and government-led Anti-SGBV Roadmap that protects women and girls from violence. Some  elements of the strategy…

In 2021, Spotlight Initiative partnered with the National Sports Secretariat in Argentina to launch the #NoEsNormalEsViolencia (It’s Not Normal, It’s Violence) campaign. This campaign aimed to end derogatory comments, ridicule, sexual harassment, and sexist expressions that belittle women and LGBTQI+ people, deepen inequalities and constitute forms of VAWG.

They developed a set of campaign materials, including posters, signs and pamphlets of varying sizes that were designed to go in different areas of sports clubs. For example, some materials were designed to go in the bathrooms, some on the…

In 2020, Spotlight Initiative supported a National Parenting Programme in Grenada with a campaign called “Step Up Your Parenting Game”. This campaign targeted men and women who were parents and guardians. The focus of the messaging was on improving parenting approaches for the benefits of their children. This campaign included a number of sub-messages including:

“No matter who, no matter, what, there is no excuse for abuse”
“Children need their fathers: they need love, support and encouragement”
“Feeling stressed? Check your B.E.T. (body, environment, thoughts)”
“Communicate with your…