The European Union and the United Nations have launched the Spotlight Initiative, a €500 million global effort to combat sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) against women and girls.
EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Samuela Isopi, announced the initiative on Friday during a private screening of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) film Deafening Silence, which raises awareness about SGBV and violence against women and girls (VAWG) in Nigeria.
Isopi highlighted the achievements of the Spotlight Initiative since its launch in 2018, emphasizing its role in raising awareness, mobilizing stakeholders, and fostering positive actions against gender-based violence.
She stressed the need for continued efforts to break the silence, fight stigma, and encourage action, noting that one in three women and girls globally experience gender-based violence.
Isopi dedicated the film to victims of gender-based violence, expressing hope for positive change and the transformative power of art and culture in challenging stereotypes and promoting social change.
The EU takes pride in being part of the Deafening Silence project, which aims to use media, culture, and social initiatives to address and reduce SGBV.
