Civil Society Regional Reference Group (CSRRG) Virtual Stakeholder Dialogue on Sustaining Progress through Increased investment in EVAWG in Africa

The Spotlight Initiative is a global, multi-year partnership between European Union and United Nations to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls by 2030. It is the world’s largest targeted effort to end all forms of violence against women and girls. The European Union funded Spotlight Initiative Africa Regional Programme (SIARP) has provided a platform, with investment and a partnership that has ensured the agenda on girls, women, gender equality and the elimination violence against women and girls, and all forms of gender based violence remain a priority. Results have included stronger continental legal, policy and accountability frameworks, greater strategic coordination at continental level, support to Member States and stakeholders, and platforms to share learning, experience, data and evidence.

As part of the SIARP governance bodies, the Civil Society Regional Reference Group (CSRRG), a group of 15 pre-eminent regional experts on women’s rights and gender justice, including elimination of violence against women and girls (EVAWG), harmful practices (HP) and sexual & reproductive health, sexual & reproductive rights (SRH&RR) has been established, to provide advisory, technical and monitoring support to the overall programme. The group’s mission is to advocate for and advise the Spotlight Initiative, informed by the women’s movement, as partners for the realization of SIARP’s objectives.

Although the mandate of SIARP completes implementation in December 2023, with a clear strategy for sustainability and scaling actions beyond 2023, it is important to engage with stakeholder at national and regional level on the impact seen across SIARP efforts and explores expanding partnerships on the interventions initiated. With programme closure activities underway, the CSRRG with support from UN Women convened a virtual stakeholders dialogue that brought together Spotlight Initiative Africa Regional Programme partners to reflect on the breakthrough achievements of Spotlight Initiatives at national and regional Level, propose key strategies for effective resource mobilization strengthen existing partnerships for sustaining gains of the Spotlight Initiative. Spotlight Initiative Countries to highlight their results, share lessons learned, challenges and successes of the programme – to explore new strategies to engage new partners and stakeholders beyond 2023.

The session moderated by John Ede a member of the CSRRG and the sub-group leader for increasing investment, generated discussions from the chairs of the CSRRG who delivered the opening remarks, alluding to the fact that progress has been achieved and for sustainability, critical deliberate investment is needed to achieve the target of EVAWG 2030.

In her remarks, Madam Awa Ndiaye Seck, Special Representative of UN Women to the African Union and UNECA, reiterated UNWOMEN support for the CSRRG and highlighted the need to provide policy leadership, even in humanitarian settings to sustain measures to end violence against women and girls (EVAWG) in Africa. Victoria Maloka, Head of Division, Coordination and outreach Division, African Union Commission (AUC) highlighted the need for increased gender investment, support for the African Union Convention on women and girls. Mr Julius Otim, the Africa Spotlight Regional Programme Coordinator (ASRPC) shares that although the Spotlight Initiative programme implementation completes in December 2023, there is hope that Spotlight Initiative 2.0 will continue as advocacy actions are generating huge interest to support and transition the programme through country ownership.

There was consensus to deliver Evidence-Based programming informed by data, promote gender budgeting, and organize joint advocacy actions engaging in practical resource mobilization, to in sustaining the progress made through increasing investment towards elimination of EVAWG in Africa.

Speakers included Evelyn Selle Letiyo Programme Specialist Spotlight, UNWOMEN Uganda, Imam Mallam Mohammed Aboubaka, Senior Muslim Leader representing the religious leaders, Nelly Mngwaluko, Programme Manager, UNWOMEN Malawi. There were also inspiring reflections from Anu John, UN-Nigeria Resident Coordinators office. The event drew in prominent stakeholders and leaders in the gender space from across the continent. Notably, it was graced by the presence of 10 traditional leaders from Ghana, among others.

Key highlights were the screening of a short video by the CSRRG about the need to increase investment to eliminate violence against women and girls. The dialogue reiterated points around promoting evidence-based programming develop gender budgeting for increasing investment, encouraging joint advocacy and practical resource mobilization increasing investment towards elimination of violence against women and girls in Africa. For follow media contact siarpcsrrg2@gmail.com and nnealbertbenson@gmail.com