Stakeholders in Moyamba, Kailahun, and Falaba Districts have officially selected nine Chiefdoms three from each district for the rollout of the Spotlight Initiative 2.0, a flagship EU-UN-funded program aimed at eliminating violence against women and girls (VAWG) in Sierra Leone.
The selection process was guided by data primarily sourced from the Family Support Units (FSU) of the Sierra Leone Police, supported by additional sectoral data. A rigorous, data-driven grading system was used during stakeholder consultations held in Kabala and Bo, resulting in the following selected Chiefdoms:
Falaba District (Kabala, September 1): Mongor, Neya, and Sulima Chiefdoms
Moyamba District (Bo, September 3): Korri, Kagboro, and Ribbi Chiefdoms
Kailahun District (Bo, September 4): Luawa, Yawel, and Malema Chiefdoms
The Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Dr. Isata Mahoi, attended the Falaba engagement and commended all three districts for meeting the rigorous eligibility criteria. She noted that while the initiative focuses on selected Chiefdoms, its benefits are expected to extend across entire districts and contribute to national transformation.
“This Initiative promotes a comprehensive and transformative approach to eliminating violence against women and girls. It is not just about intervention it is about systemic change,” Dr. Isata Mahoi, Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs
Building on the success of the first phase (2018–2023) the largest global investment to end gender-based violence Spotlight Initiative 2.0 will span four years, with implementation led by UNDP, UNFPA, UN Women, and UNICEF in the selected Chiefdoms. National-level activities will be supported by the Rainbo Initiative.
The program adopts a holistic, four-pillar approach include strengthening the enabling environment for violence prevention and response, addressing root causes and preventing violence, ensuring access to high-quality, survivor-centered support services mpowering civil society to lead sustainable, grassroots movements.
Chiefdoms were selected based on validated indicators, including prevalence and incidence of gender-based violence (GBV), availability and accessibility of GBV services, presence of marginalized and vulnerable populations, community willingness and stakeholder buy-in and security, operational feasibility
Legal and policy gaps (especially under customary law), existing coordination structures and cultural and social norms, including harmful practices and patriarchal systems
UNDP Legal and policy reforms for national action against SGBV, UNICEF transforming social norms through community engagement, UNFPA delivering survivor-centered services and long-term support and UN Women strengthening civil society for sustainable change.
The national launch of Spotlight Initiative 2.0 was held on July 8, 2025, in Freetown, officiated by Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh.
The urgency of this work is underscored by alarming national statistics 81% of women experience violence, 53% report experiencing intimate partner violence
83% have undergone Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
Through this targeted and coordinated effort, stakeholders hope that Sierra Leone will see a substantial reduction in violence against women and girls paving the way for safer, more equitable communities across the country.
