Spotlight Inititative
Technology-facilitated gender-based violence is a rapidly growing form of abuse that disproportionately affects women and girls, including human rights defenders, journalists, and politicians, and increasingly intersects with offline harm. Spotlight Initiative engages with this issue through knowledge-sharing, capacity building, and support to country-level programming responses.
In 2025, the Initiative supported UNFPA-led global work on TF GBV through participation in the UNFPA TF GBV Advisory Board and the Third Global Symposium on TF GBV in March 2025, where findings informed updates to the Initiative’s guidance on best practices in addressing TF GBV. In Zambia, Spotlight Initiative and UNFPA co-hosted a public webinar reaching over 100 participants, including government and civil society representatives, designed for accessibility through sign Zambian sign language interpretation and an in-person viewing session, developed in direct response to anticipated risks of increased TF GBV during national elections. In Liberia, the #SafeDigitalLiberia campaign engaged 17 digital influencers during the 16 Days of Activism, reaching over 155,500 followers with messaging on digital safety and women’s rights.
View MoreTechnology-facilitated gender-based violence is a rapidly growing form of abuse that disproportionately affects women and girls, including human rights defenders, journalists, and politicians, and increasingly intersects with offline harm. Spotlight Initiative engages with this issue through knowledge-sharing, capacity building, and support to country-level programming responses.
In 2025, the Initiative supported UNFPA-led global work on TF GBV through participation in the UNFPA TF GBV Advisory Board and the Third Global Symposium on TF GBV in March 2025, where findings informed updates to the Initiative’s guidance on best practices in addressing TF GBV. In Zambia, Spotlight Initiative and UNFPA co-hosted a public webinar reaching over 100 participants, including government and civil society representatives, designed for accessibility through sign Zambian sign language interpretation and an in-person viewing session, developed in direct response to anticipated risks of increased TF GBV during national elections. In Liberia, the #SafeDigitalLiberia campaign engaged 17 digital influencers during the 16 Days of Activism, reaching over 155,500 followers with messaging on digital safety and women’s rights.
Engagement with TF GBV reflects the Initiative’s commitment to ensuring that its comprehensive model remains responsive to emerging and evolving forms of violence, particularly as digital spaces become increasingly central to how violence is perpetrated and experienced.
Since its inception, the Spotlight Initiative has made significant strides in addressing technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TF GBV). A key activity includes the development of a Digital Gender Violence virtual course in Argentina, as part of a broader initiative on comprehensive sexuality education. The Central Asia and Afghanistan Regional Programme hosted the Spotlight Digital Challenge, educating youth on the dual nature of technology, both as a tool to end violence and as a medium for perpetuating online violence. The Latin America Regional Programme, in partnership with the Behavioral Insights Team, explored the rise in online violence and cyberbullying during COVID-19 and utilized behavioral science to develop innovative strategies for addressing these issues. In Vanuatu, the Initiative partnered with the Internet Governance Forum to generate data on students’ experiences with online violence, and supported the development of a National Plan for Child Online Protection. In Zimbabwe, Spotlight supported the Data Protection Act, enacted in December 2021, which provides one of the most comprehensive legal frameworks in southern Africa to address online violence, including non-consensual image-based abuse.
The Initiative’s comprehensive approach involves collaborating across agencies and with donors to implement legal reforms, raise awareness, and build data-driven interventions. Additionally, Spotlight has hosted events such as the Unfollowing Misogyny session at the SVRI Forum and has recently been invited to contribute to the UNFPA Advisory Board on TFGBV, solidifying its role in global efforts to combat TF GBV.
View MoreSince its inception, the Spotlight Initiative has made significant strides in addressing technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TF GBV). A key activity includes the development of a Digital Gender Violence virtual course in Argentina, as part of a broader initiative on comprehensive sexuality education. The Central Asia and Afghanistan Regional Programme hosted the Spotlight Digital Challenge, educating youth on the dual nature of technology, both as a tool to end violence and as a medium for perpetuating online violence. The Latin America Regional Programme, in partnership with the Behavioral Insights Team, explored the rise in online violence and cyberbullying during COVID-19 and utilized behavioral science to develop innovative strategies for addressing these issues. In Vanuatu, the Initiative partnered with the Internet Governance Forum to generate data on students’ experiences with online violence, and supported the development of a National Plan for Child Online Protection. In Zimbabwe, Spotlight supported the Data Protection Act, enacted in December 2021, which provides one of the most comprehensive legal frameworks in southern Africa to address online violence, including non-consensual image-based abuse.
The Initiative’s comprehensive approach involves collaborating across agencies and with donors to implement legal reforms, raise awareness, and build data-driven interventions. Additionally, Spotlight has hosted events such as the Unfollowing Misogyny session at the SVRI Forum and has recently been invited to contribute to the UNFPA Advisory Board on TFGBV, solidifying its role in global efforts to combat TF GBV.