At its 26th Plenary Session, from 19 to 21 November 2024 in Strasbourg, the Gender Equality Commission (GEC) held several high-level exchanges. The discussions with Michael O’Flaherty, Commissioner for Human Rights highlighted the need for a gendered regulation of AI, the consequence on women and girls of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the human right to a clean and healthy environment and the impact of the climate change on women and girls.
 
With the launch of the Luxembourg Presidency of the Committee of Ministers, the GEC had the opportunity to exchange with Yuriko Backes, Minister for Defence, for Mobility and Public Works, and for Gender Equality and Diversity. The discussions focused on sexism in politics, on women, peace and security and on the impact of crises on women and girls. 
 
The GEC also exchanged with Maria Andriani Kostopoulou, President of the Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO), on the findings of GREVIO’s recently published 5th general report on activities for 2023. The report emphasises the importance of risk assessment and management in preventing and combating violence against women and the need to address the growing threat of digital violence against women and girls.
 
The GEC engaged in a workshop on positive narratives in the context of anti-gender movements. GEC participants also exchanged on the interlinks between gender equality and the environment, contributing good practices and their views on this important topic. 
 
The GEC elected Sara Slana (Slovenia) as Chair, Sandra Lengwiler (Switzerland) as Vice-Chair and Radan Šafařík (Czechia) as Bureau member.