Civil Society Takes a Stronger Role in Liberia’s Spotlight Initiative 2.0
Date:
Civil Society Takes a Stronger Role in Liberia’s Spotlight Initiative 2.0
August 20, 2026, Monrovia - UN Women, UNDP and UNFPA have convened the newly constituted Civil Society National Reference Group (CS-NRG) for Liberia’s European Union-funded Spotlight Initiative 2.0, bringing together 11 civil society representatives to strengthen their role in efforts to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls (VAWG), sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and harmful practices.
The induction meeting introduced CS-NRG members to Spotlight Initiative 2.0, including its priorities, governance and coordination arrangements, as well as the Group’s Terms of Reference, mandate, ethical and operating arrangements, and advisory, advocacy, monitoring and accountability functions. Participants also discussed priority programme issues and the process for updating the Initiative’s costed workplan.
Violence against women and girls remains a significant challenge in Liberia, reinforced by gender inequality, discriminatory social norms and unequal power relations. Building on the first phase, Spotlight Initiative 2.0—supported through the European Union-United Nations partnership—will advance prevention and response to SGBV and harmful practices and promote sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
The second phase is being implemented in Liberia by UN Women, UNDP and UNFPA, with interventions focused on legislation, policies and data; prevention; responsive services; and strengthening civil society organizations and the women’s movement.
Meaningful civil society participation is central to the Spotlight approach. Women’s rights organizations, feminist movements, community-based organizations, organizations representing persons with disabilities, youth advocates, survivors’ networks and other community actors possess knowledge and experience that institutions alone cannot provide.
The CS-NRG provides an institutional mechanism for this expertise and community perspectives to inform programme implementation. In line with the Leave No One Behind principle, the Group will support meaningful engagement with women’s rights groups, survivors and constituencies facing intersecting forms of discrimination.
The Group will serve four core functions: to advise, to advocate, to monitor, and to hold the Initiative accountable to its commitments. Its responsibilities include providing strategic advice, supporting advocacy and communication, contributing evidence and lessons learned, advising on implementation challenges and opportunities, and providing objective feedback to strengthen programme monitoring and accountability.
Lessons from Liberia’s first Spotlight phase—including independent monitoring, advocacy, policy recommendations and accountability tools—will help inform the CS-NRG’s work under the second phase.
The induction marks an important step toward strengthening civil society leadership and ensuring that the voices and experiences of women, girls and communities remain central to efforts to end violence and advance gender equality in Liberia.