Stakeholders use data to identify 9 Chiefdoms for Spotlight rollout in Moyamba, Kailahun & Falaba.

Based on available data provided mainly by the Family Support Units (FSU) of the Sierra Leone Police and other sources, stakeholders in Falalaba, Moyamba and Kailahun Districts, respectively, have selected 3 Chiefdoms each from these Districts for the implementation of the EU-UN funded Spotlight Initiative 2.0, for the next four years. 

The Initiative is an expanded phase of a global partnership between the EU and the UN aimed at ending violence against women and girls (VAWG). It builds on the success of the original Spotlight Initiative (2018–2023), which was the largest-ever global investment focused on eliminating gender-based violence.

The selection was done through a grading system during stakeholders’ engagements that took place in Kabala on September 1 for Falaba, where Mongor, Neya and Sulima were selected, September 3 in Bo for Moyamba, which selected Korri, Kagboro and Ribbi chiefdoms and September 4 also in Bo, leading to the selection of Luawa, Yawel and Malema chiefdoms for Kailuhun.

 In Kabala on September 1, where the Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Dr Isata Mahoi, participated in the engagement, she stated that the Initiative will contribute to promoting a comprehensive and transformative approach to eliminating violence against women and girls (VAWG). 

The Initiative will also adopt a comprehensive approach, focusing on four key outcome areas. These include enhancing the enabling environment for violence prevention and response, preventing violence and addressing its roots, ensuring survivors have access to high-quality support, and empowering civil society to build effective social movements for sustainable change.

The Minister congratulated Falaba and the two other Districts for meeting the criteria for selection. She emphasised that while the engagements were to agree on the three chiefdoms in the districts where the project will drill down to address violence against women and girls, the implementation and some of the interventions will benefit the people of the entire Districts, and by extension, the country at large.

 Also, she urged all stakeholders to exercise due diligence in the selection process, emphasising the importance of their roles in the project's success. She also extended her gratitude to the European Union for the funding and the UN Agencies for their counterpart funding. 

The eligibility criteria that was used and validated before the selection focused on the following parameters; Prevalence and Incidence of GBV; Accessibility to GBV Services; presence of Vulnerable or Marginalised Groups; Community Willingness and Stakeholder Support; security and operational Feasibility and Legal and Policy Environment in relation to gaps between national policies and local enforcement, especially under customary law; existing Coordination Mechanisms; and cultural and social norm dynamics: Presence of harmful practices and patriarchal norms. 

The Spotlight Initiative was officially launched at the national level in Freetown on July 8, 2025, by the Chief Minister, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, on behalf of the Government of Sierra Leone. 

The prevalence of violence against women in Sierra Leone is said to be at 81%, with 53% of women facing intimate partner violence. 83% of women have also experienced FGM. 

UNDP, UNPFA, UN Women, and UNICEF will implement the Initiative in the selected Chiefdoms in Falaba, Kailahun and Moyamba. At the same time, the Rainbo Initiative will also implement it at a national level.

Within the project, UNDP will be responsible for developing strong laws and policies for national action on SGBV, UNICEF for engaging in shifting social norms through community empowerment, UNFPA will provide leadership for survivor-centred services and long-term care, while UN Women will strengthen civil society to drive lasting change. Together, they’re creating a safer, more equitable community for women and girls in Sierra Leone.

 It is hoped that by the end of the implementation of the Spotlight, a quantum leap of progress will have been achieved in the reduction of violence against women and girls in Sierra Leone.