The Congress is undertaking work on women participation to public life, equality between men and women, as well as on women’s rights, for example by introducing quotas in its national delegations, adopting resolutions and recommandations on gender equality, and contributing to actions fighting violence against women.
Quotas within Congress national delegations

Introduced in 2008, in accordance with the Congress Charter, the participation of a minimum of 30% of the under-represented sex in national delegations has been ensured since 2011 as a precondition for the approval of the credentials of a delegation.

  • Between 1994 and 2014, 73% (132) of the posts of President and Vice-President were held by men and 27% (49) were held by elected women;
  • For the first time in 2010, the Vice-presidents of the Congress were in equal numbers. Today (mandate 2021-2026), women constitute 50% (8 out of 16 members) of the executive of the Congress (Bureau);
  • For the first time in 2016, a woman was elected President of the Congress.
Actions to fight violence against women
  • During 2006-2008, the Congress was actively involved in the “Stop domestic violence against women” campaign, and launched in particular a poster campaign in streets and subways of many European cities with the slogan “Cities and regions take a stand”.
  • In co-operation with the Parliamentary Assembly, the Congress organised a photo exhibition entitled “Break the silence on domestic violence“, inaugurated in 2008 and conducted in several cities.
  • In 2009, the Congress adopted Resolution 279 and Recommendation 260 on combating domestic violence against women and called for the development of strategies and measures at local level, to prevent and combat violence against women.
  • In 2020, the Congress adopted Resolution 459 and Recommendation 449 on fighting sexist violence against women in politics called on local and regional elected representatives to position themselves as political leaders against sexist discourse and violence.
Adopted texts
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Back Both women’s participation and perspective in politics have a tremendous impact in public policies

Both women’s participation and perspective in politics have a tremendous impact in public policies

“We need more dialogue and cooperation among us to advance the female agenda and harness the women’s potential,” stated Congress President Gudrun Mosler-Törnström during the debate on “Female governors: strategy of regional performance and growth”, in St Petersburg, Russian Federation, on 21 September 2018.

“The Council of Europe Congress, with its Chamber of Regions and Chamber of Local Authorities, offers a platform for such experience-sharing and mutual support, open to women elected locally or regionally in Europe,” she added.

Congress President welcomed the launching of the process of establishing a Eurasian Association of Women – Regional Leaders. “Supporting such ideas and initiatives will help us bring to all spheres of society a female perspective, our unique vision and approach to dealing with problems and challenges,” she stated.

“Both women’s presence and perspective in politics have a tremendous impact on the way policies and strategies are designed and implemented,” Congress President concluded.

The debate was held in the framework of the 2nd Eurasian Women’s Forum. Organised by the Council of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia and the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the Commonwealth of Independent States (IPA-CIS), the Forum is focusing on women's involvement in global security and sustainable development. It will bring together women parliamentarians, as well as representatives of governments, international organizations, business, science, associations, and women's movements from different countries.

Presidency St Petersburg, Russian Federation 21 September 2018
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see also

In the Resolution 404 (2016), the Congress stresses the importance of adopting and implementing the European Charter for Equality of Women and Men in Local Life, launched by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) in 2006, as a sound step towards gender equality, gender mainstreaming and the promotion of equal opportunities for women and men in local political and public life.