Samoa made a "bold statement" in Mexico when the country's Spotlight Initiative team won the inaugural Leave No One Behind award, says the United Nations Development Programme.

In a press statement issued on Tuesday, following the Samoa Spotlight Initiative team winning the inaugural award on Sunday, the UNDP in Samoa said the country made a bold statement – not only through their bright orange attire – but also in its commitment to leave no one behind.

According to the UNDP, the colour orange is synonymous with the Spotlight Initiative’s advocacy efforts in Samoa and this was on full display when the Samoan Spotlight Initiative team danced and sang their way to the stage to receive the award. The team was led by the Ministry of Women Community and Social Development CEO Dr. Mema Motusaga and included Fagalima Tuatagaloa, Gabrielle Apelu and Gutu Faasau.

Tuatagaloa, who is the Co-Chair of the Civil Society National Reference Group and is part of Samoa Spotlight Initiative, said the award recognises their programme as a whole.

“This award recognizes the force that is the Samoa Spotlight Initiative in all its totality, complete with our challenges and successes," said the Co-Chair.  

"We shall continue to endeavour in our approach. Tonight, we lift our partners, our national stakeholders, our champions, our women and girls, as the world acknowledges and celebrates our two years of trials and tribulations, which is the journey of the Samoa Spotlight Initiative."

The Leave No One Behind award recognizes the Spotlight Initiative team in Samoa’s commitment to the principle of leaving no one behind, stated the UNDP press release. The team works with the Civil Society National Reference Group (CSNRG) and Recipient United Nations Organisations (RUNOs) to ensure the inclusion of women and girls who are not well integrated into existing violence prevention efforts, meeting people in their own contexts and communities.

The UN Resident Coordinator in Samoa, Dr. Simona Marinescu, said that the award was a recognition of the work that the UN has done with Samoa Government and various stakeholders.

“This is a great recognition of the work that the United Nations have done with the Government of Samoa, civil society, churches and other community faith-based organizations, academia, village councils, women’s committees and activists,” said Dr. Marinescu. 

 “The success of this programme has had multiple drivers, but a critical role has been played by the Civil Society National Reference Group, a mechanism of 10 CSO representatives whose role is to better engage civil society in the programme and monitor the relevance of the support provided by the RUNOs. 

"Equally important has been taking a culture-sensitive approach, involving arts as forms of emotional expression, including traditional dancing and singing.”

The UNDP Resident Representative in Samoa, Jorn Sorensen, described the award as an "affirmation of ongoing concerted efforts" by the team.

“The award is an affirmation of ongoing, concerted efforts by the Spotlight Initiative team in Samoa to ensure that no one is left behind," said Mr. Sorensen in the press release. 

"While much work remains to be done in the fight to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls in Samoa, we take heart from awards such as these, that we are indeed on the right track, and that the work we do is indeed reaching those who need it most."

The Spotlight Initiative in Samoa is implemented by five RUNOs, namely the United Nations Development Programme(UNDP), UN Women, UNESCO, UNICEF and UNFPA. The Resident Coordinator’s Office oversees the programme and is actively involved with its implementation. 

Other contenders for the award included Honduras, Liberia, Tajikistan, and Zimbabwe. The awards ceremony rounded off the Global Spotlight Symposium, which attracted more than 150 participants.

The Spotlight Initiative is implemented in five regions and 26 country programmes around the world including Samoa. Spotlight is a global initiative of the United Nations which has received generous support from the European Union. Its aim is to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. It was launched in Samoa in March 2020. Since then, it has made a significant contribution to national efforts to rid Samoa of the scourge of violence against women and girls.