IPNEWS- The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), together with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and UN Women, as implementing agencies of the EU-Funded Spotlight Initiative, on May 13, 2026 organized a Programme Management and Coordination Unit (PMCU)-led inception meeting with Government of Liberia institutions, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) aimed at strengthening coordination and driving the effective implementation of the Liberia Spotlight Initiative 2.0.
Under the leadership of the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office, as coordinating arm, the meeting brought together implementing partners from both national and sub-national levels to align on programme priorities, clarify implementation roles, and strengthen accountability mechanisms for delivering coordinated interventions to prevent and respond to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and advance gender equality across Liberia.
Speaking virtually at the opening of the meeting, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Liberia, Christine N. Umutoni, emphasized the importance of collective action and unified implementation.
“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. Its success depends not only on strong programming, but on effective coordination, shared accountability, and collective ownership,” she said.
Ms. Umutoni further noted that the multi-partner nature of the programme requires institutions to work collaboratively across mandates and levels while maintaining a shared vision for impact.
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 requirements.
It also created a platform for government institutions and CSOs to share early implementation experiences and strengthen coordination across national and local levels.
As a key implementing agency, UNDP reaffirmed its commitment to supporting national institutions and community-based partners in delivering sustainable solutions that protect women and girls and promote inclusive development.
Through structured planning sessions and partner discussions, participants identified practical actions to enhance coordination, reduce duplication, strengthen accountability, and ensure resources are used effectively to achieve measurable results.
The meeting concluded with renewed commitments from all partners to strengthen collaboration, improve implementation coherence, and ensure that the Liberia Spotlight Initiative delivers tangible outcomes for women and girls across the country.
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 implemented through a joint programme approach involving multiple UN agencies, government institutions, and civil society partners.
It seeks to address the root causes of violence against women and girls while strengthening systems for prevention, protection, and response and continues to support national efforts to create safer communities, strengthen institutions, and promote gender equality.
