By: Precious Miracle Kargbo
Representatives from the Spotlight Secretariat in New York met with Honourable Isata Mahoi on November 10, 2023, to discuss finalizing a $15 million grant aimed at ending gender-based violence (GBV) against women and girls in Sierra Leone.
This funding is part of the Spotlight Initiative, a partnership between the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN).
The meeting focused on the urgency of finalizing the grant by December 2024, which is crucial for implementing programs to combat GBV in the country. The initiative seeks to create safer environments for women and girls and promote gender equality in a region where such violence remains a significant challenge.
Hon. Mahoi emphasized the importance of this grant, stating, “This support will be vital in our efforts to protect and empower women and girls throughout Sierra Leone.”
The representatives from the Spotlight Secretariat reaffirmed their commitment to the initiative and expressed optimism about the funding’s potential impact.
This collaboration represents a significant step in addressing the pervasive issue of gender-based violence in Sierra Leone. With the finalization of the grant, there is hope for meaningful progress towards creating a safer and more equitable society for women and girls in the nation.
Conclusively, the Spotlight Initiative aims to mobilize resources effectively and implement sustainable solutions to combat GBV in the region.