Gender equality is an important policy goal of the Council of Europe. Priority areas of intervention are defined by the Gender Equality Strategy 2024-2029 and working methods include intergovernmental work, cooperation projects and gender mainstreaming.
Boost your knowledge on gender equality
and gender mainstreaming!
Are you interested in learning about the difference between sex and gender or would you like to master concepts like intersectionality?
Do you want to have a clear overview of European and international standards on gender equality?
Are you curious about how to “do gender mainstreaming”?
Check out the Council of Europe’s free online HELP course on gender equality and gender mainstreaming:
- A 2.5-hour interactive course available in English, French, Georgian, Ukrainian, Arabic, Azerbaijani, Belarusian
- Ideal for anyone looking to develop their skills in gender equality and gender mainstreaming
- Clear explanations of concepts and standards are combined with key data
- Dive deeper with videos
- Practical checklists help you apply what you have learned
In March 2019, the Committee of Ministers adopted the Recommendation CM/Rec(2019)1 on preventing and combating sexism: it calls for specific action in respect of language and communication; internet and social media; media, advertising and other communication methods; workplace; public sector; justice sector; education institutions; culture and sport and the private sphere. An action page and a brochure give concrete guidance regarding the implementation of the Recommendation.
In May 2022, the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers adopted the Recommendation CM/Rec(2022)17 on protecting the rights of migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women and girls. The Recommendation brings together the provisions of existing Council of Europe and international standards and the policies that can best ensure the empowerment and protection of migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women and girls.
Advancing Gender Equality Through Values-Based Communication: a new Practical Guide to deflect anti-gender rhetoric
Rhetoric questioning gender equality is increasingly used as a tool to fuel mistrust in democratic institutions and to polarise societies. To support authorities, communicators, and civil society to counteract these divisive narratives, the Council of Europe’s Gender Equality Commission has...
Council of Europe’s Gender Equality in Education Scorecard (GESC) Working Group
On 29-30 June 2026, the fourth meeting of the Council of Europe’s Gender Equality in Education Scorecard (GESC) Working Group was held in Strasbourg and online. The session brought together experts, members of the Steering Committee for Education (CDEDU) and the Gender Equality Commission (GEC),...
Council of Europe study examines protection from violence of women with psychosocial and intellectual disabilities in the Republic of Moldova
In the Republic of Moldova, women with psychosocial and intellectual disabilities remain largely invisible within the system designed to prevent and respond to violence against women and domestic violence. Evidence shows that women with disabilities are two to five times more likely to experience...
Professionals explore ways to strengthen coordination and referral mechanisms for victim support in Azerbaijan
Effective coordination and referral mechanisms are important for ensuring that victims of violence against women and domestic violence receive protection and timely, appropriate and continuous support. As victims often interact with multiple services, cooperation among professionals and...
Armenian stakeholders discuss ways to close gender data gaps in access to justice for women
Across the Eastern Partnership region, there is increasing recognition that gender-sensitive justice reform depends on better data. Where information on women's experiences in the justice system is incomplete or inconsistent, policymakers have limited tools to respond effectively. Representatives...
Advancing Women’s Access to Justice in the Western Balkans: Reflections on the Spanish experience
On 9-10 June 2026, mentors of the second cohort of the Mentoring Programme for Legal Professionals on Women’s Access to Justice took part in a study visit to Madrid, Spain. The mentors came from all six project beneficiary countries in the Western Balkans. The study visit, hosted by the Ministry...
Council of Europe launches new Recommendation on accountability for technology-facilitated violence against women and girls
On 10 June, the Council of Europe launched Recommendation CM/Rec(2026)2 on accountability for technology-facilitated violence against women and girls at the Palais de l’Europe in Strasbourg and online. The Recommendation was prepared jointly by the Gender Equality Commission (GEC) and the Council...
From accountability to change: facilitators trained to work with perpetrators of violence against women
The Council of Europe project “Aligning Laws and Policies with the Istanbul Convention” supported the Ministry of Justice in delivering specialised training for facilitators from the Kosovo Correctional Service on the implementation of the National Programme for the Treatment of Perpetrators of...
Multi stakeholders dialogue on the Gender Equality Strategy implementation in Ukraine
On 13 May 2026, more than 150 representatives from various ministries, law enforcement agencies, civil society organisations, and academia took part in a roundtable presenting the Council of Europe Gender Equality Strategy 2024–2029 to Ukrainian stakeholders and discussing its implementation in...
Ukrainian civil society supports the implementation of the Istanbul Convention
The charitable foundation Sylni (Sylni) has completed an awareness-raising project on the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combatting violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention) in Ukraine. The action entitled “Stop to violence: raising...
Toward effective perpetrator programmes in line with European standards
On 2 and 3 June 2026, the Council of Europe, in co-operation with the European Network for the Work with Perpetrators of Domestic Violence (WWP EN), organised a conference in Budapest, Hungary: “Toward effective perpetrator programmes in line with European standards: Bridging policy, practice...
Council of Europe supports safe and dignified voluntary return of women and girls to Ukraine
The Council of Europe has recently published the guide, “Safe and dignified: Gender-sensitive voluntary return strategies for Ukraine”, to assist Ukraine in developing gender-sensitive voluntary return procedures, focused on the needs of women and girls affected by violence or at risk. It...
Gender Equality Commission Annual Conference
Strasbourg, 9 June 2026 - The Council of Europe will gather leading policymakers, experts, and members of civil society at the Palais de l’Europe for the Gender Equality Commission’s Annual Conference, “Women forging lasting peace: Dismantling barriers to gender-inclusive conflict resolution and...
Gender Equality Commission meets in Strasbourg and launches new Committee of Ministers Recommendation on Accountability for Technology-facilitated violence against women and girls
The Gender Equality Commission (GEC) is holding its 29th plenary meeting on 10 to 12 June 2026 in Strasbourg. A highlight of the agenda will be the launch of the Recommendation on Accountability for Technology-facilitated violence against women and girls, adopted by the Committee of Ministers on...
SYNERGY Network launches new strategy with steering committee meeting in Nicosia
Twenty-five participants from 11 countries gathered in Nicosia, Cyprus from 17–19 May 2026 for the first Steering Committee meeting of the SYNERGY Network against gender based and domestic violence. The meeting, co-organised by the Council of Europe Pathways Initiative under the EEA and Norway...
Council of Europe supports partnerships with civil society organisations through EEA and Norway Grants
The Council of Europe’s commitment to human rights in Europe through supporting civil society was recently demonstrated through a gathering of EEA and Norway Grants’ Civil Society Fund Operators from 14 countries, held in January 2026 at the Financial Mechanism Office in Brussels. In discussions...
Call for applications: Integrating a gender perspective into legal education
The Council of Europe is launching a call for applications for a regional workshop entitled “Integrating a gender perspective into legal education”, to be held on 23 October 2026 at the European Youth Centre Budapest (EYCB), Hungary. The workshop will bring together up to 60 law professors from...
Georgian professionals strengthen victim-centred and trauma-informed responses
Trauma-informed and victim-centred responses to violence against women and domestic violence were the focus of a training organised for 50 representatives of shelters, crisis centres and hotlines operating under the State Care Agency of Georgia, the primary provider of support services for...
Workshop on strengthening coordinated policies to combat violence against women and domestic violence held in Floresti
Effective prevention and combating of violence against women and domestic violence requires clear legal frameworks, coordinated institutional action, and practical protection mechanisms for victims. On 14 May 2026, the first 2026 workshop of Thematic Group II – Criminal Prosecution / Coordinated...
Handbook on gender mainstreaming for Ukrainian authorities published
The publication “Gender mainstreaming in action: A handbook for local gender related coordinators in Ukraine” targeting the unique challenges faced by civil servants at local and regional level in Ukraine is now available. This publication offers specific guidance and resources for local...
