Final Evaluation of the Spotlight Initiative [Annexes]

Overview

In 2017, the United Nations (UN), in partnership with the European Union (EU), launched the Spotlight Initiative to End Violence Against Women and Girls in line with the 2030 Agenda and guided by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The intended impact of the Initiative was for all women and girls to live free from violence and harmful practices. The Spotlight Initiative was the first large-scale initiative to systematically address both the drivers and the consequences of gender-based violence. It was envisioned as a model fund for UN Development System Reform to accelerate progress towards achievement of SDGs. VAWG is one of the world’s most prevalent human rights violations and a global public health problem affecting women and girls of all ages, races and socioeconomic backgrounds. The magnitude of the impact of VAWG and harmful practices on individuals’ lives and society is immeasurable, with long-term physical, economic and psychological consequences. Despite the significant personal and societal costs of VAWG, progress to end VAWG has been slow and challenging. The Spotlight Initiative was implemented through 26 country programmes, five regional programmes; one thematic regional programme; and two civil society grant-giving programmes in partnership with the United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence against Women and the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund. The Spotlight Initiative concluded its first stage at the end of 2023 and is positioning to commence a second stage. The Spotlight Initiative Secretariat commissioned the System-Wide Evaluation Office (SWEO) to conduct an independent evaluation of the first phase of the Initiative (2017-2023).

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