Background

The Spotlight Initiative is a global partnership to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls, which is being funded by the EU and implemented through five UN agencies in Timor- Leste: ILO, UN Women, UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF.

The programme is aligned to the Timor-Leste "National Action Plan on Gender based Violence (2017-2021)" and National SDG Roadmap. It will contribute to the elimination of domestic violence/ intimate partner violence (DV/IPV) by responding to the needs of women and girls and addressing the underlying causes of violence against women and girls, using a multi-sectoral and intersectional approach across the ecological model.

This will involve strengthening and widening partnerships and solidarity across civil society, government, media, private sector and development partners. The Initiative will empower individuals, equip institutions at national, sub-national and community levels with the policies, systems and mechanisms to prevent and respond to Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), and encourage the public to challenge harmful gender norms. Using innovative approaches, the Spotlight Initiative will build a social movement of diverse advocates and agents of change for gender equality and social inclusion.

The Spotlight Initiative will accelerate Timor-Leste's progress toward reaching its targets under the 2030 Agenda, particularly SDG 5 on Gender Equality, but also SDG 3 “Health and Well-Being”, SDG. 4 “Quality Education”, SDG 8 “Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all”, SDG 10 “Reduced Inequalities”, SDG 11 “Sustainable Cities and Communities”, SDG 16 “Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions”, and SDG 17 on “Partnerships”.

The Spotlight Initiative will offer a concentration of a comprehensive and integrated package of interventions across six pillars:

1. Pillar 1: Legislation and Policies
2. Pillar 2: Institutional strengthening
3. Pillar 3: Prevention of violence
4. Pillar 4: Available, accessible, and acceptable, quality services
5. Pillar 5: Quality and reliable data
6. Pillar 6: Supporting women’s movements and relevant civil society organizations

Objective 

The overall vision of the Spotlight Initiative in Timor-Leste is that women and girls enjoy their right to a life free of violence, within an inclusive and gender equitable Timor-Leste.
The ILO will contribute to four Pillars of intervention within the Spotlight Initiative with Immediate Objectives / Outcomes and Outputs as follows:

Outcome 1: Legislative and policy frameworks, based on evidence, and in line with international human rights standards, on all forms of VAWG and harmful practices are in place and translated into plans.

National partners (particularly Parliamentarians, the national human rights institution and women’s rights advocates) have strengthened evidence-based knowledge and capacities to assess gaps and draft new and/or strengthen existing legislations on ending VAWG, including DV/IPV, and/or gender equality and non-discrimination that respond to the rights of the most groups facing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination and are in line with international HR standards and treaty bodies’ recommendations.

Outcome 2: National and sub-national systems and institutions plan, fund and deliver evidence-based programmes that prevent and respond to VAWG, including DV/IPV, including in other sectors.

Key officials at national and/or sub-national levels in all relevant institutions (E.g. justice, statistics, police, health, community based, etc.) are better able to develop and deliver evidence-based programmes that prevent and respond to VAWG, including DV/IPV, especially for those groups of women and girls facing intersecting and multiple forms of discrimination, including in other sectors.

Outcome 3: Gender inequitable social norms, attitudes and behaviours change at community and individual levels to prevent VAWG, including DV/IPV.

Community advocacy platforms are established/strengthened to develop strategies and programmes, (Including informing parenting skills around gender socialization through early childhood development programmes) including community dialogues, public information and advocacy campaigns, to promote gender-equitable norms, attitudes and behaviours, including in relation to women and girls’ sexuality and reproduction, self-confidence and self-esteem and transforming harmful masculinities

Outcome 4: Women and girls who experience VAWG, including DV/IPV, use available, accessible, acceptable, and quality essential services including for long term recovery from violence.

Women and girls’ survivors of VAWG, including DV/IPV, and their families are informed of and can access quality essential services, including longer-term recovery services and opportunities.