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 Declaration by the President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities on Women’s Day

Declaration by the President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities on Women’s Day

In recent months, scandals related to the harassment and sexual abuse of women have erupted and no environment - political, artistic or civil society - has been spared. Women all around the world decided to break the silence and speak out, giving rise to movements such as the #MeToo campaign on social networks.

On the occasion of 8 March, when we celebrate Women's Day, I would like to give my full support to all those women and men who are fighting to stop the abuse, violence and injustice done to women in our societies - societies which are all too often marked by inequality, patriarchal attitudes and impunity.

It is by strengthening the position of women in society and by increasing their presence in all public spheres that we can get things to improve.

The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe has for a long time been committed to promoting better representation of women, particularly in politics. We believe that the involvement of women at grassroots level is the starting point. The more local politicians there are, the easier gender balancing and representation at the national level will be.

To mark this day, I call on all men and women of goodwill to commit themselves to making our societies safer and more equitable for women and let the voice of those who speak out be heard
 

Congress File on Gender Equality

Strasbourg 8 March 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.