The Gender Equality Commission (GEC) held its 22nd plenary meeting in Strasbourg, from 16 to 18 November. On the policy development agenda, GEC members discussed Draft Guidelines on the place of men and boys in gender equality policies and in policies to combat violence against women. Preparations for the future Gender Equality Strategy, for 2024 to 2029, were also tabled. And GEC members held exchanges with Dunja Mijatović, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, with Iris Luarasi, President of the Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO), and with Carlien Scheele, Director of EIGE, the EU’s Gender Equality Institute. A side-event presented the results of a study on the impact of COVID-19 on women’s access to justice.
Gender equality is an important policy goal of the Council of Europe. Priority areas of intervention are defined by the Gender Equality Strategy 2024-2029 and working methods include intergovernmental work, cooperation projects and gender mainstreaming.
Boost your knowledge on gender equality
and gender mainstreaming!
Are you interested in learning about the difference between sex and gender or would you like to master concepts like intersectionality?
Do you want to have a clear overview of European and international standards on gender equality?
Are you curious about how to “do gender mainstreaming”?
Check out the Council of Europe’s free online HELP course on gender equality and gender mainstreaming:
- A 2.5-hour interactive course available in English, French, Georgian, Ukrainian, Arabic, Azerbaijani, Belarusian
- Ideal for anyone looking to develop their skills in gender equality and gender mainstreaming
- Clear explanations of concepts and standards are combined with key data
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In March 2019, the Committee of Ministers adopted the Recommendation CM/Rec(2019)1 on preventing and combating sexism: it calls for specific action in respect of language and communication; internet and social media; media, advertising and other communication methods; workplace; public sector; justice sector; education institutions; culture and sport and the private sphere. An action page and a brochure give concrete guidance regarding the implementation of the Recommendation.
In May 2022, the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers adopted the Recommendation CM/Rec(2022)17 on protecting the rights of migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women and girls. The Recommendation brings together the provisions of existing Council of Europe and international standards and the policies that can best ensure the empowerment and protection of migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women and girls.
