Name of Project: European Union-United Nations Spotlight Initiative Project
Location of Project: Ebonyi State, Nigeria
Commencement Date: 1st October 2019
Status: Ongoing
Brief description of Project:
Sexual and Gender-based violence (SGBV) is a major public health and human rights problem
globally. The extent of this problem has not been explored in Ebonyi State and Nigeria at
large. Data available suggests that one in five women report sexual violence by an intimate
partner and up to a third of girls report forced sexual initiation. Sexual assault
encompasses a range of acts, including coerced sex in marriage and dating relationships,
rape by strangers, organized rape in war, sexual harassment (including demands of sex for
jobs or school grades), and rape of children, trafficking of women and girls, female genital
mutilation, and forced exposure to pornography.
It is important to understand the ramifications of sexual assault, as not only a physical
act, but also could be verbal or visual sexual abuse or any act that forces a person to join
in unwanted sexual contact or attention. Sexual assault is also not discriminatory to sex;
both males and females are affected but studies have shown that the number of female sexual
assault victims (and assault perpetrated by males) is far greater than male
victims
Overview of Spotlight Initiative:
Implementation Strategy: The Initiative aims to reduce violence and
harmful practices against women and girls in Nigeria by addressing the linkages between
SGBV and HP with related aspects of SRHR as a cross-cutting issue. Focus will be on
prevention efforts, particularly addressing the root causes of the two
most prevalent harmful practices in Nigeria; child marriage and FGM) through
interventions aimed at transforming social norms, attitudes and behaviors
(Pillar 3); and ensuring access to inclusive, timely and quality
services (Pillar 4) for GBV survivors, providing women and girls with safe
spaces and access holistic responses.
Through a comprehensive approach with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other
partners, ESERC is working in Ebonyi State to ensure that all women and girls, particularly
the most vulnerable, live a life free from violence and harmful practices. The vision will
be realized by addressing the linkages between sexual and gender-based violence and harmful
practices with related aspects of sexual and reproductive health and rights as a
cross-cutting theme.
ESERC is focusing on addressing Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 of the Spotlight Initiative which are:
- Laws and policies - Promoting laws and policies that prevent gender-based violence, discrimination and address impunity
- Institutional capacity building - Strengthening Federal, State, Local Government and Community institutions.
ESERC is implementing the Spotlight Initiative project in Ebonyi State starting with 2 LGAs
(Abakaliki and Ezza South) as pilot LGAs.
