In the margins of the 68th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York, the Council of Europe organised a side-event titled “Catalysts for change: breaking down gender stereotypes in media and advertising”. The event was co-organised with the Permanent Mission of Liechtenstein to the United Nations, as part of the Liechtenstein Presidency of the Committee of Ministers. It took place on 11 March at 4:45 – 6:00 PM EST (9:45 PM – 11:00PM CET) in the General Assembly Building ECOSOC Chamber. The link of the video recording is available on the event’s page . 

Media and advertising wield immense potential for social change. Our side-event looked at promising practices, initiatives and concrete measures in the public and private sectors. An expert panel composed of civil society, the advertising industry and government representatives discussed emerging trends, media regulations, product branding and advertising strategies as well as the role of men and boys in breaking down gender stereotypes.  

Men can be catalysts for this change to happen. The side-event was in line with the Council of Europe 2023 Guidelines on men and boys in gender equality policies and in policies to combat violence against women as well as with our new Gender Equality Strategy for 2024-2029.