Spotlight Initiative

06/02/2026

"What's so scary about smart girls?"

At Women Breaking Barriers, EU Ambassador to the UN () Stavros Lambrinidis () reflected on a powerful truth: educating girls is one of the most effective ways to build stronger, more resilient societies.

From Malala Yousafzai () to girls affected by conflict and extremism around the world, the fight for education remains a fight for human rights.

Watch his remarks on why advancing girls' education and women's empowerment is essential to protecting human rights and creating lasting change.

06/02/2026

"This place has had a huge impact on childbirth in our area."

In eastern Liberia, a maternal child health unit supported by Spotlight Initiative is helping save lives by ensuring safer pregnancies and deliveries.

Though maternal mortality has substantially reduced in recent years, in 2020, the country still had the sixth highest maternal mortality rate in sub-Saharan Africa, according to data compiled by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Koro Mallah, a Maternal Child Health Supervisor, explains the life-saving importance of the unit.

ZOE-GEH DISTRICT, Liberia - In eastern Liberia, Spotlight Initiative has supported government efforts to reduce maternal mortality rates by building a Maternal Child Health unit at Bahn Health Centre. Though maternal mortality has substantially reduced in recent years, in 2020, the country still had...

05/29/2026

“Violence eats at the fabric of society. It takes away from your dignity and your humanity.” — Minister Chernor Bah

Violence against women and girls is not inevitable — it is preventable through political will, strong laws, partnerships and sustained action.

In this interview, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, reflects on the lasting impact of violence in society, the country’s progress in advancing protections for women and girls, and the importance of collective action to end gender-based violence.

From criminalizing child marriage to strengthening laws on sexual and gender-based violence, Sierra Leone is working to turn policy commitments into real change — with Spotlight Initiative supporting efforts to strengthen implementation, accountability, and survivor-centered responses.

05/26/2026

"True strength is respect and partnership"

In Uganda, Vincent Onyango is part of a growing movement of men advancing positive masculinity and helping build safer, more equal communities.

His transformation began through participation in the SASA Together! approach, implemented under the UN Spotlight Initiative, with funding from the European Union and the Netherlands Embassy.

🔗 Read more: https://bit.ly/4dItkpE

TORORO DISTRICT, Uganda - Vincent Onyango represents a growing movement of men redefining leadership within their homes and communities. At 28 years old, he is a youth counsellor and trained community volunteer on gender-based violence (GBV), sanitation and hygiene. His transformation began through....

05/22/2026

"Are you feeling forced, tricked or trapped?"

Sister Sarah Puls, a member of ACRATH shared how faith leaders and community-based organizations are helping identify and support survivors of human trafficking and modern slavery across the Oceanic Pacific.

Read more:

MELBOURNE, Australia - Sister Sarah Puls is a member of ACRATH, an Australian faith-based organization dedicated to addressing human trafficking and modern slavery. Her role involves working directly with survivors, migrant workers, schools, healthcare institutions and government bodies to address t...

05/15/2026

At Women Breaking Barriers, H.E. Nicola Clase () reminded young people that progress is shaped by those who step forward — even before they feel ready.

Reflecting on the legacy of Eleanor Roosevelt and Agda Rössel, she highlighted how each generation opens doors for the next.

As millions of women and girls still face barriers enforced by inequality, violence and silence, her message was clear: opening doors matters — keeping them open is the real work.

Hosted by Spotlight Initiative, .us, the Permanent Missions of Sweden (), Uruguay and Viet Nam to the .

05/12/2026

At Women Breaking Barriers, reflected on the women who shaped history — and the women who continue to redefine it.

From growing up in Brooklyn raised by a single mother, to leading , she shared a personal journey rooted in resilience, independence and ambition.

She also honoured generations of trailblazers — from Bessie Smith to Oprah Winfrey and Lisa Su — whose stories opened doors for women across media, science, business and culture.

These stories remind us that progress is built by those who dared to imagine beyond the barriers before them.

Women Breaking Barriers was hosted by Spotlight Initiative, .us, the Permanent Missions of Sweden (), Uruguay and Viet Nam to the .

05/05/2026

From Commitment to Scale: Aligning Leadership, Investment and Accountability to End Violence against Women and Girls and Harmful Practices in Africa

During the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development, Spotlight Initiative Africa Regional Programme (SIARP 2.0) hosted a side event bringing together partners from the African Union Commission, the United Nations system, Regional Economic Communities, civil society and the European Union.

Africa is not starting from zero in ending violence against women and girls. The priority now is clear: scale what works, strengthen accountability, and invest at the level required.

Partners aligned around a shared agenda:
• Build on existing progress
• Increase investment, including stronger domestic resource mobilization
• Leverage data to drive decision-making and accountability
• Strengthen coordination across institutions for greater impact

A whole-of-continent approach demands more than commitment—it requires coherence, resources and delivery at scale.

Speakers emphasized the importance of solidarity in the face of global challenges and called for more coordinated and efficient use of collective capacities through SIARP 2.0.

The opportunity ahead is clear: align leadership, partnerships and investment to accelerate results—and unlock the full potential of women and girls across Africa.

05/04/2026

A powerful message from Sandra Kwon (.weenie) at “Women Breaking Barriers.”

Speaking as an Asian Canadian woman, Sandra challenged the pressure to stay silent and invisible—and reminded us that taking up space is an act of courage.

From women in Palestine, the Congo, Sudan, Iran, Afghanistan, Ukraine and Haiti, to the next generation of girls, her message was clear: dignity is non-negotiable, and safety should never be a luxury.

To men and boys—allyship means speaking up, calling out harmful behaviours, and using your influence to challenge the norms that diminish women and girls.

To every girl—your voice matters. Stay bold and live your truth.

At Women Breaking Barriers, voices like hers are shaping a future where barriers no longer define women’s stories.

05/04/2026

"What we have is a true model of what the multilateral system can do when you have all the pieces together." – Erin Kenny, Spotlight Initiative Global Coordinator

Spotlight Initiative’s Civil Society Global Reference Group hosted a panel at Women Deliver 2026 exploring what feminist multilateralism could look like in practice.

This session drew on lessons from Spotlight Initiative to examine how power can be better shared, how resources should flow and how accountability can work in both directions between civil society and institutions.

Read more: https://www.spotlightinitiative.org/news/power-funding-accountability-feminist-lessons-multilateral-reform-women-deliver

Speakers: Shamah Bulangis, Veronica Papa, Lemau Palaamo, Edinah Masiyiwa, Samaneh Shabani, Erin Kenny and Lara Fergus.

NARRM/MELBOURNE, Australia - During the last week of April, more than 6,000 people convened in Australia for Women Deliver 2026, a global gathering to advance gender equality. During the conference, Spotlight Initiative’s Civil Society Global Reference Group (CSGRG) hosted a panel exploring what f...