Spotlight Initiative Project

Introduction/Background

Nigeria is characterized by gender inequality in almost all areas of human development and ranks 118 out of 134 countries on the Gender Equality Index. The inadequate inclusion of women and girls’ perspectives in policy making decisions, resource allocation and implementation in economic and social sectors continues to challenge the advancement of gender equality. Negative social norms which condone or support violence against women and girls and harmful practices remain pervasive. Gender-based violence is widespread and 30 percent of women aged 15-49 have reported experiences of sexual abuse.

The Spotlight Initiative is a global, multi-year partnership between the European Union and the United Nations (EU-UN) Agencies to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. Spotlight Initiative responds to all forms of violence against women and girls, with a particular focus on sexual and gender-based violence and harmful practices. The Initiative is so named as it brings focused attention to this issue, moving it into the spotlight and placing it at the centre of efforts to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment. It is the world’s largest targeted effort to end all forms of violence against women and girls.

On the 7th of November, 2019, WRAPA signed a Project Cooperation Agreement as one of the Implementing Partners on the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative (SI) Programme in Nigeria and to focus its work in FCT, Adamawa and Sokoto States.

Justification

In Nigeria, like in other jurisdictions, VAWG/SGBV remains a challenge that significantly constrains women’s autonomy and opportunities. The Nigeria Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) 2013. (NPC and ICF International 2014) indicates that 28 percent of women in Nigeria aged 15–49 have experienced some form of physical or sexual violence; 11 percent had experienced physical violence within the 12 months prior to the survey. Almost 45 percent of the women who had experienced violence never sought help or told anyone about the incident. The harmful practices of child marriage and female genital mutilation are also prevalent across the country; Conflict in Nigeria’s North East geopolitical zone has further contributed to a steep rise in violence targeted against women and children by Boko Haram.

As a result of this, WRAPA is implementing the Spotlight Initiative Project.

WRAPA will build on its experience, and history in propelling knowledge shift, and coordinating entities to advance sustainable shift in tackling VAWG/SGBV/HP and SRHR in the project sates, while engaging community influencers for sustainability of interventions. Target groups will consistently be the most marginalized women and girls, including those who face intersecting forms of discrimination or multi-deprivation, such as those with disabilities, women and girls living with HIV/AIDS, the poorest and those living in most difficult to access communities will be target, as to “leave no one behind”.

Objectives

The major objective of Spotlight Initiative is to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls by 2030.

Techniques

To achieve the objective of the Spotlight Initiative Project, WRAPA will target key role players that are central to the achievement of systemic shift in VAWG/SGBV/HP in these locations. Interventions would be implemented in partnerships with Save the Child Initiative (STCI) in Sokoto State, Hope and Rural Aid Foundation (HARAF) in Adamawa State and Voice of Disability Initiative (VDI) in FCT to focus on building capacity of both individual and institutions, to “influence and act”, across state and non-state actors. Key interventions will include enhancement of project management skills, facilitating constructive and result based dialogue and convening, communicating for impact and advocacy, adapting in alternative solutions, and effective coordination, all aimed at improving the human and institutional agency to advance progress in VAWG/SGBV/HP that ensures provision of sexual and reproductive health services.

Outcomes

Spotlight Initiative Project interventions focus on six mutually-reinforcing programming pillars. WRAPA is working on Outcome 6. Women’s rights groups, autonomous social movements and civil society organizations, including those representing youth and groups facing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination/marginalization, more
effectively influence and advance progress on GEWE and ending VAWG

If (1) the knowledge, expertise and capacities of women’s rights organizations, autonomous social movements and civil society organizations, including those representing youth and groups facing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination is drawn upon and strengthened,
and (2) the space for women’s rights organizations, autonomous social movements and civil society organizations including those representing youth and groups facing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination’s expression and activity is free and conducive to their work,
and (3) multi-stakeholder partnerships and networks are established at local, national, regional and global level with women’s rights groups and autonomous social movements and civil society organizations, including those representing youth and groups facing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination,
then (4) women’s rights organizations, autonomous social movements and civil society organizations will be able to influence, sustain, and advance progress on GEWE and ending VAWG policies and programmes that respond to the needs of all women and girls, including those facing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination,
because (5) the activism of women’s rights organizations, autonomous social movements and civil society organizations, including those representing youth and groups facing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination is a crucial driver of progress on efforts to end VAWG.