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 Liisa ANSALA: "Women's political participation must be encouraged at the local level"

Liisa ANSALA:

Congress Vice-President Liisa ANSALA (Finland, ILDG) spoke on 13 September 2018 at the annual Helsinki Municipal Fair organised by the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities.

The Vice-President underlined the importance of women's political participation and the need for a European policy to promote gender equality. "A democracy that respects human rights and the rule of law promotes the participation in political life of all population groups, including under-represented groups such as women and youth," she said.

Ms. ANSALA highlighted tools such as gender budgeting to facilitate women's participation in political decision-making. She encouraged local and regional authorities to be bolder in this regard, including in its own country Finland, and denounced the persistence of gender stereotypes and wage inequalities.

The Vice-President also highlighted the role of the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities in promoting gender equality. "The Council of European Municipalities and Regions' (CEMR) Charter for Equality of Women and Men in Local Life, which the Finnish Association recommends to local and regional authorities, is a strategic tool" she concluded.

The Helsinki Municipal Fair, organised by the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities, is the largest annual event for the local authority sector in Finland, bringing together some 7,500 public sector decision-makers, municipal employees, companies and associations. Organized for the 25th time, this two-day event offered visitors 300 free seminars and information sessions. Among the exhibitors, about 200 companies and actors from government and the tertiary sector were present.

Helsinki, Finland 13 September 2018
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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.