By Amin Kef (Ranger)
Taking a bold and unified stand against gender-based violence, the Government of Sierra Leone officially launched the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative on Tuesday, July 9, 2025, at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown. This landmark global partnership between the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG).
The launch event brought together senior Government officials including the Chief Minister, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Dr. Isata Mahoi and the Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby alongside representatives from the EU, UN agencies, Civil Society Organisations, traditional authorities and development partners. Their collective presence signaled a national recommitment to addressing the pervasive issue of gender-based violence.
This Initiative builds upon a significant €15 million financing agreement signed on April 11, 2024, between Sierra Leone’s Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura and the EU. It aims to strengthen national efforts by providing coordinated funding, technical assistance and political support to end the scourge of violence against women and girls.
The Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey (SLDHS) 2019 paints a sobering picture: an estimated 62% of women aged 15–49 have experienced physical and/or sexual violence. Harmful traditional practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and child marriage remain prevalent, alongside widespread intimate partner violence; issues the Spotlight Initiative intends to confront head-on.
Launched globally in 2017 with a €500 million commitment from the EU, the Spotlight Initiative is the world’s largest targeted effort to end VAWG. Its impact has been far-reaching; supporting the adoption of over 540 gender-protective laws and policies, expanding access to life-saving services for over 3 million women and girls and engaging millions in challenging harmful gender norms.
Sierra Leone’s participation in this next phase affirms its commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality.
The Initiative in Sierra Leone will be implemented through a comprehensive, survivor-centered strategy that includes:
- Laws, Policies and Institutions – Enhancing legislation, institutional frameworks and data systems.
- Prevention – Implementing national campaigns and educational programs to shift harmful norms.
- Response Services – Expanding access to survivor-centered healthcare, psychosocial support and legal services.
- Women’s Movements – Strengthening and financing grassroots women- and youth-led organisations to lead change and hold institutions accountable.
With over €3.8 million allocated for national rollout and an additional $12,000 for targeted interventions in Moyamba, Falaba and Kailahun Districts, the Initiative will cover all 16 districts, 48 chiefdoms and 48 wards in the Western Area.
During the ceremony, Minister Dr. Isata Mahoi expressed heartfelt appreciation to the UN and EU for their technical and financial backing, noting that the Initiative aligns directly with her Ministry’s core mandate.
“I am one of the happiest today as we officially launch the Spotlight Initiative,” she said. “This support will go a long way in complementing the Government’s work to protect women and children.”
Executive Director of the Rainbo Initiative, Daniel F.H. Kettor, emphasized that the Initiative goes beyond funding it challenges the cultural silence surrounding violence. “In 2024 alone, Rainbo Centres documented over 3,000 cases of sexual violence, affecting victims from just 2 months to 97 years old. These are not statistics; they are our families and our future,” he stated.
EU Chargé d’Affaires, Gerald Hatler, highlighted that Sierra Leone is among only four African nations alongside Liberia, Zambia and Uganda selected for this second phase of Spotlight, underlining its political commitment and urgent need.
“This Initiative is a shared responsibility,” Gerald Hatler stressed. “Ending violence against women and girls is not just a women’s issue; it’s a societal obligation.”
One of the most powerful moments of the event came from survivor Bilkish Kabia, who bravely shared her journey from trauma to activism. “Today, I stand not just as a survivor, but as a voice for others,” she declared. “Through the Survivor Solidarity Movement, we are reclaiming our power and driving the advocacy for change.”
UN Resident Coordinator and Co-Chair of the Project Steering Committee, Seraphine Wakana, underscored the need for structural change. She called on the Government to institutionalize gender-responsive budgeting and expand safe spaces and grassroots support for women and girls.
In his keynote address, Chief Minister, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, who also co-chairs the Steering Committee, hailed the launch as a testament to meaningful partnerships. He commended the rigorous consultations that led to the programme’s approval and outlined Government achievements in tackling GBV including the Sexual Offences Model Court, GBV hotline 116 and One-Stop Centres.
“We are already seeing results. More survivors are seeking justice and support. This launch marks the beginning of an intensified national drive to make Sierra Leone safer for every woman and girl,” Dr. David Moinina Sengeh concluded.
With the Spotlight Initiative taking root across Sierra Leone, it brings not only vital resources but also renewed hope, collective action, and a powerful message: violence is not our culture, and silence is no longer an option.
