UN Partnership Helps Millions of Women Escape Violence in 7 Years

A global partnership is proving that change happens when women and girls lead the way. The Spotlight Initiative, launched by the United Nations and European Union in 2017, has spent seven years creating real breakthroughs in protecting women from violence, and the results are inspiring millions.

The numbers tell a sobering story: one in three women worldwide has experienced physical or sexual violence. But across dozens of countries, the Spotlight Initiative is turning that statistic around by putting survivors at the heart of every solution.

In Zimbabwe, Ndakaitei Matare is leading that change. As a mother and chair of a disability support group in Zvimba, she faced barriers to education and economic opportunities her entire life. Through Spotlight's partnership with the Zimbabwean government, Ndakaitei and other women with disabilities created support groups that raise awareness about violence, rights, and inclusion. "We are capable of doing a lot if we unite and work together," she says. Her country now has Victim-Friendly Courts offering safe spaces for survivors, complete with separation rooms, transport assistance, and food allowances.

In Haiti, a teenage girl named Taina survived a week-long kidnapping by a gang in 2023. She endured unimaginable trauma, but Spotlight provided her with medical care, psychological support, housing, job training, and school assistance. "In this environment, I could finally breathe," Taina shared. Today, she's planning to become a police officer while studying beauty treatment and cooking. Her resilience matters even more knowing that over one in three Haitian women has experienced partner violence.

Halfway around the world in Thailand, Namwaan left Myanmar in 2003 seeking a better life. Instead, she found herself working 12 to 16 hour days in a textile factory for just three dollars. Unable to read or speak Thai, she watched colleagues get harassed, locked up, or physically abused for speaking up about working conditions. Through Spotlight's awareness campaigns, airport support desks, and training programs, Namwaan connected with other women who had faced similar abuse. "This programme gives millions of women hope for decent work free from violence," she said.

The Ripple Effect

The changes extend far beyond individual lives. In 2023, Tajikistan became the 66th country in the world to ban corporal punishment, a policy shift made possible through Spotlight advocacy. The country now has 15 victim support rooms offering integrated medical, psychological, and referral services, including emergency shelter.

These support systems create waves of change throughout entire communities. When one woman finds her voice, she empowers others. When one country passes protective laws, neighboring nations take notice. When survivors become advocates, they transform from victims into leaders.

The Spotlight Initiative shows what's possible when we invest in women's safety and dignity. Every survivor who receives justice, every community that learns about prevention, every law that protects the vulnerable creates a brighter future for everyone.