The African Union (AU) and the United Nations Development Coordination Office (UNDCO) Friday signed the “Spotlight Initiative Africa Regional Program 2.0 (SIARP)” agreement as part of a commitment to eradicating violence against women and girls across Africa.
The agreement aims to build on the successes of SIARP 1.0 (2020–2023), reinforcing the robust partnership that has driven transformative action towards gender equality and the eradication of violence against women and girls (VAWG), including harmful practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage across the continent, according to the AU’s statement.
The agreement marks a step ahead to consolidate the tripartite cooperation between the African Union, the European Union, and the United Nations. It aims to sustain the momentum achieved under SIARP 1.0, fostering policy harmonisation, capacity-building, and community-led interventions that address harmful practices and promote women’s empowerment.
The signing ceremony followed the Declaration of Intent, jointly endorsed by Minata Samate Cessouma, AU Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development; Mr. Yacoub Ali El-Hillo, Regional Director for Africa at UNDCO; and H.E. Nino Perez, European Union ambassador to the African Union.
This high-level commitment signals a renewed dedication to coordinated action in eliminating violence against women and girls in Africa, while upholding the principles of gender equality and human rights.
Cessouma underscored the transformative impact of SIARP 1.0 in deepening insights into the complex challenges confronting women and girls across the continent. She highlighted the programme’s role in establishing a strategic platform for delivering targeted interventions and driving periodic, evidence-based responses to eliminate violence and harmful practices against women and girls.
“This agreement marks a new chapter in our collaboration, which my successor will continue to champion to safeguard the rights, protection, and wellbeing of vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls, through the eradication of harmful practices,” Cessouma stated.
Yacoub Ali El-Hillo, Regional Director for Africa at UNDCO, commended the SIARP 2.0 Programme as a testament to the robust partnership between the African Union Commission, the United Nations, and the European Union, reaffirming their collective commitment to advancing the rights of women and girls across Africa.
MG/as/APA