UN-Spotlight initiative, a project aimed at tackling GBV in Cameroon, was officially launched on July 18, 2025, in Yaounde during a gala with development partners.
Minister of Women’s Empowerment and the Family, Canadian High Commissioner, UN Resident Representative, UNWOMEN Resident Representative, and UNDP’s Deputy Representative were all taking part in this event that took place on Friday, July 18, 2025, at the residence of the High Commissioner for Canada in Cameroon.
The event was equally highly attended by officials of some ministries engaged in the programme, diplomats, civil society organizations, the media, and champions targeted within the framework of this project.
As underscored by United Nations’ representatives, the five-year project dubbed “UN-Spotlight Initiative” has been put in place for young girls, women victims of GBV in all ten regions of the country, also targeting internally displaced persons, refugees, and those living in various communities and who are affected by crises.
During the presentation of this project, some key statistics were unveiled by UNWOMEN.
It was indicated that: 39% of women and young girls are victims of physical violence; 13% are victims of sexual violence; 1.4% of women have been subjected to female genital mutilation; 11.4% of girls under 15 and 36% of girls under 18 are subjected to Early and Forced Child Marriages (EFCM).
Apart from figures unveiled to the public, there were testimonies made by survivors of GBV and influential artists, as well as sports icons who joined the movement years ago to contribute to the fight against this growing scourge in Cameroon.
Amongst the artists convened to join the move, there was X-Maleya, a well-known group of artist musicians, who have been involved in similar projects aimed at fighting GBV and rape.
The group, made up of Roger and Hais, seized the occasion of this launch to praise the support of the government, UN agencies, and the High Commission of Canada, who have helped them in pursuing their campaigns to combat GBV.
The duo that sings for development and a change in the mindsets of people expressed its will to intensify actions to tackle GBV, as they envisage producing a one-hour movie in the months ahead.
Speaking during this gala aimed at advocating for collective efforts towards combating GBV in Cameroon, Minister of Women’s Empowerment and the Family, Pr. Marie-Therese Abena Ondoa said the UN-Spotlight initiative is a continuous move that comes in to accelerate the numerous actions undertaken by the government and development partners in the fight against this social ill that has become very rampant in several households and communities.
“We must mutualize our efforts, work hand in hand with government, UN agencies, diplomatic missions, civil society organizations, and various leaders, as well as the media. We must not forget to educate the communities themselves. We need to reinforce the coordination to eradicate GBV in all its forms…” She said.
Pr. Abena Ondoa, in her keynote address, pointed out some crucial aspects that need to be taken into account in the fight against GBV.
She said: “The Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and the Family is determined to continue to play its role, which focuses on the coordination of actions, and that will be reinforced with the UN-Spotlight initiative, to transform social norms, mentalities that perpetuate these barbaric acts. The fight against GBV necessitates financial, human, and material resources. Together, we have to mobilize these resources in a bid to create a favorable socio-cultural environment for all, and where there is no room for Gender-Based Violence. We should therefore join hands together to tackle GBV so that no girl, no woman, no human being, neither a young boy nor a man should be a victim of violence simply because of their sex…”
Mrs. Anderson Lorraine, High Commissioner for Canada in Cameroon, said this project is worthy to be praise, thus it has to do with promoting human rights and the dignity of people.
“For us in Canada, this is all about promoting Human Rights and dignity. And for us, this was an opportunity to highlight this spotlight programme and other means we have to raise awareness and to see how we can mobilize support for the fight here in Cameroon.” The High Commissioner said.
UN Resident Coordinator, Issa Sanogo, on his part, underscored the contributive role of women and girls in the development of a country. He said without safe and healthy women, no development can be realistic.
In an exchange with media practitioners, the UN Resident Coordinator revealed that this programme, initiated in 2017 by the UN’s Secretary General, is a milestone in accelerating the fight against Gender-Based Violence.
“For us, development cannot happen without women. But then, when we look at the numbers, it is clear that the economic power that can help accelerate the development is missing from the picture because this economic power is suffering from Gender-Based violence. That is why it was important that will come in to support this initiative.”
The UN-spotlight initiative is a global, multi-year initiative focused on eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls.
The Initiative is so named as it brings focused attention to this issue, moving it into the spotlight and placing it at the centre of efforts to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Elise Kenimbeni
