Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee partners with Spotlight Initiative

The Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (SASNOC) has announced its partnership with the Spotlight Initiative, which seeks to eliminate violence against women and young girls in the country.

The Spotlight Initiative responds to all forms of violence against women and girls, with a particular focus on domestic and family violence, sexual and gender-based violence and harmful practices, human trafficking and sexual and economic (labour) exploitation.

The initiative, which is a collaborative effort between the United Nations and European Union, was launched in Samoa last month, and has signed agreements with several organisations in the region.

The SASNOC has published two safeguarding documents to support the Spotlight Initiative, including a SASNOC Institutional Review, which places a specific emphasis on ending violence against women and girls. The second document comprises the SASNOC Communication Strategy for Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, with a focus on advancing gender equality in the sports movement and establishing that the SASNOC will maintain a zero-tolerance approach towards violence against women and girls in sport.

The Spotlight Initiative’s EUR 3 million in funding for Samoa is hoped to lead to legislation that can help eradicate violence against women and enhance support for survivors.