Global challenges, including the Russian Federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the Covid-19 pandemic, economic crises and climate change, have hit women and girls the hardest, deepening existing gender inequalities and exposing women and girls to further violence, discrimination, and social exclusion. These global challenges have long-lasting effects. Policies to address them, including those on peace and security – if they are to be effective – require the full and meaningful involvement of women as well as a gender equality and an intersectional perspective. Meanwhile, anti-rights and anti-gender rhetoric challenges gender equality standards and threaten existing rights. This calls for a robust defence of the existing acquis in multilateral relations.

Migrant, refugee, and asylum-seeking women and girls are confronted with intensified forms of violence and discrimination. Standards and policies must therefore be tailored to their situations. The 2022 Committee of Ministers Recommendation on protecting the rights of migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women and girls aims to prevent violence, to promote empowerment and to ensure access to essential rights and services.

The Council of Europe is committed to promoting the empowerment of women and girls and fully integrating a gender equality perspective in relation to these global and geopolitical challenges.