| Overview : The Spotlight Initiative is a global, multi-year initiative launched by the European Union and the United Nations to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG). This initiative galvanizes political commitment at the highest levels and contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goal 5: Gender Equality, fully integrating the principle of “Leaving No One Behind.” The initiative focuses on domestic and family violence and seeks to contribute to ending family violence by strengthening policy and legislations that will guarantee increased protection of women and girls, building the capacity of state and non-state actors to respond to family violence, expanding the range of services available and addressing social norms and behaviors that promote violence against women and girls. In Belize, the global and regional declarations, conventions, and resolutions aimed at addressing violence against women and girls have been integrated within the formulation of legislation, policies, and action plans which have been endorsed by the government at the highest level.One of the critical aspects of the Spotlight Initiative in Belize is the good alignment with existing efforts by government and non-government entities at national and local levels. Therefore, the Initiative will contribute to the achievement of goals and targets articulated in national frameworks such as Horizon 2030, Growth and Sustainable Development Strategy 2017-2021 (GSDS), National Gender Policy, the National Sexual and Reproductive Health Policy, the National Youth Policy, the National Gender-Based Violence Action Plan and the National Children’s Agenda. The Civil Society National Reference Group (CSNRG), is a key part of the governance mechanism for the implementation of the Spotlight Initiative in Belize. This serves as an institutional mechanism to harness civil society participation and expertise. The CSNRG operates at dual functionality — to advise the Spotlight Country Programme and to advocate and partner for the realization of its objectives. The Spotlight Initiative Civil Society National Reference Group (CSNRG) in Belize members were considered by civil representatives from umbrella organizations in Belize, namely the National Trade Union Congress, Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Belize Council of Churches, Belize Network of NGOs and the National Student Union of Belize. The CSNRG serves to find sustainable approaches and strategies to end Domestic Violence (DV) and Violence towards Women and Girls (VAWG). We are Civil Society Activists and leaders from across the country representative of marginalized women and girls aimed to provide key oversight to national processes and agreements in regard to the Spotlight initiative SI Belize. We represent Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO), feminist networks, gender and expression activist, Indigenous women, and youth institutions geared towards a likeminded approach of promoting Spotlight Imitative 6 Programmatic Pillars. The consultancy is expected to conduct workshop and retreat. |
