Spotlight Initiative Launches in Zambia: A Bold Step Towards Ending Violence Against Women and Girls

On 23 May 2025, Zambia officially launched the Spotlight Initiative 2.0, a transformative global partnership aimed at eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls. The launch event, held at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka, was graced by a diverse group of stakeholders including youth, civil society organizations, academia, the media, and development partners.

The Spotlight Initiative, running from 2025 to 2027, will be implemented by the Government of Zambia, in collaboration with the United Nations system (IOM, UNDP, UNESCO, and UNFPA), and with financial support from the Embassy of Ireland.

In his keynote address, Zambia’s Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Gilbert A. Phiri, SC, hailed the initiative as a vital tool in addressing gender-based violence (GBV) in Zambia. He emphasized the need for legal reforms to close critical gaps in the legal framework, including raising the age of sexual consent, removing harmful provisions in the Penal Code, and strengthening protections for survivors of GBV.

“This programme comes at a time when Zambia is grappling with persistent waves of GBV,” Mr. Phiri noted. “It represents an unprecedented global effort to invest in gender equality as a precondition for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.”

Speaking on behalf of the United Nations, UN Resident Coordinator Ms. Beatrice Mutali, through UNFPA Country Representative Mr. Seth Broekman, highlighted the four key outcomes of the initiative:

• Strengthening laws, policies, and institutions
• Transforming harmful gender norms and attitudes
• Providing quality survivor-centered services
• Empowering women’s rights groups and civil society

Ms. Mutali underscored the UN’s commitment to working alongside the Government of Zambia, civil society, and development partners to ensure that women and girls live free from violence, discrimination, and fear.

Embassy of Ireland Chargé d’Affaires, Ms. Kate O’Donnel, reaffirmed Ireland’s support for the initiative, emphasizing the need for long-term partnerships to close gender gaps and create a society where women and men enjoy equal rights and opportunities.

The event also featured a panel discussion on Critical Emerging Issues, bringing together diverse voices:

• Caritas Zambia: The role of faith-based organizations in addressing GBV
• National Organisation for Civic Education (NOCC): The importance of gender-responsive budgeting and public financing
• Zambia Men’s Network: Engaging men and boys as champions of social behavior change
• Gender Division: The role of government in ending child marriage and challenging harmful social norms
• Stanbic Bank – Anakazi Banking: Promoting financial inclusion for women and youth

The Spotlight Initiative will be implemented in Muchinga and Eastern provinces as well as the capital Lusaka for administrative coordination. 

According to the 2023 Zambia Gender Assessment Report, over 36% of women and girls aged 15–49 have experienced physical violence at least once since the age of 15. The Spotlight Initiative aims to change this through comprehensive, multisectoral approaches—improving laws, changing attitudes, enhancing services for survivors, and supporting grassroots movements.

The launch underscored the shared commitment of the Government of Zambia, the UN, the Embassy of Ireland, and local partners to create a Zambia where every woman and girl can live free from violence, discrimination, and fear.