MONROVIA – The United Nations Development Programme, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund and UN Women, has launched a major coordination initiative aimed at strengthening the implementation of the European Union-funded Spotlight Initiative 2.0 in Liberia.
The Programme Management and Coordination Unit (PMCU)-led inception meeting, held on May 13, 2026, brought together government institutions, civil society organizations, and development partners to align priorities, clarify implementation responsibilities, and strengthen accountability mechanisms for addressing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and advancing gender equality across Liberia.
The initiative operates under the leadership of the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office in Liberia, which serves as the coordinating arm of the programme.
UN Resident Coordinator Calls for Collective Action
Speaking virtually during the opening session, Christine N. Umutoni stressed the importance of collaboration and unified implementation among all stakeholders involved in the programme.
“The Liberia Spotlight Initiative stands as one of our most important collective efforts to prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based violence and advance gender equality across the country,” Umutoni stated.
“Its success depends not only on strong programming, but on effective coordination, shared accountability, and collective ownership,” she added.
According to her, the multi-partner nature of the initiative requires institutions at both national and sub-national levels to work collaboratively while maintaining a common vision for impact and sustainable change.
Focus on Coordination, Accountability
The inception meeting provided implementing partners with guidance on programme delivery requirements, fiduciary compliance, safeguarding standards, monitoring and reporting expectations, as well as communication and visibility procedures.
The session also created a platform for government institutions and civil society organizations to share early implementation experiences, identify operational challenges, and improve coordination across various intervention areas.
As one of the lead implementing agencies, the United Nations Development Programme reaffirmed its commitment to supporting national institutions and community-based organizations in delivering sustainable solutions aimed at protecting women and girls while promoting inclusive national development.
Participants engaged in structured planning sessions and technical discussions focused on reducing duplication, strengthening accountability, improving coordination, and ensuring effective use of programme resources to achieve measurable results.
Renewed Commitment to Protect Women, Girls
At the close of the meeting, participating institutions renewed their commitment to stronger collaboration and coordinated implementation to ensure that the Spotlight Initiative produces tangible outcomes for women and girls across Liberia.
The Spotlight Initiative is a global partnership between the European Union and the United Nations focused on eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls.
In Liberia, the programme is being implemented through a joint approach involving multiple United Nations agencies, government institutions, and civil society organizations working together to address the root causes of gender-based violence.
The initiative seeks to strengthen prevention, protection, response systems, institutional capacity, and community engagement while promoting gender equality and safer communities throughout the country.
Liberia Continues Fight Against Gender-Based Violence
Liberia continues to face significant challenges relating to sexual and gender-based violence, particularly affecting women and girls in vulnerable communities.
Human rights organizations and development partners have repeatedly called for stronger institutional responses, survivor protection systems, legal enforcement, and public awareness initiatives to combat the problem.
Over the years, the Spotlight Initiative has supported national efforts aimed at strengthening laws, institutions, service delivery systems, and community-level interventions targeting violence against women and girls.
Development partners say improved coordination among implementing agencies remains critical to achieving sustainable impact and ensuring that support reaches vulnerable populations effectively.
The latest coordination meeting is being viewed as another important step in Liberia’s broader efforts to strengthen gender equality, protect women and girls, and improve institutional responses to gender-based violence nationwide.
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