News
Applying a gender equality lens to journalisms in Armenia
Thirteen Armenian journalists and representatives of media civil society organisations (11 women and 2 men) participated in a seminar on 16-17 May 2024 in Tsaghkadzor, Armenia on gender sensitive language, lens, and ethical approaches in journalism to cover stories on violence against women and...
Gender-responsive legal practices in Türkiye – What does it mean for legal professionals?
An international panel on gender-responsive legal practices was organised on 15 May in Ankara, Türkiye as part of the 75th anniversary of the Council of Europe and the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Council of Europe Programme Office in Ankara. The panel aimed to provide an overview...
Civil society raises awareness on the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence in Armenia
Three civil society organisation (CSOs) - Armavir Development Center in Armavir province, Martuni Women’s Community Council in Gegharkunik province, and Sose Women’s Issues in Syunik province - have completed communication and advocacy projects that ran from June 2023 to February 2024. These...
Closing the policy gaps for combatting digital and sexual violence against women in Bosnia and Herzegovina
On 14 May 2024 in Mostar the Council of Europe event "Harmonizing legal responses: Gap analysis on digital and sexual violence against women in Bosnia and Herzegovina“ convened executive policy-makers, representatives of executive and legislative bodies, judicial and law enforcement...
Istanbul Convention at 13: Promising Practices to end violence against women
11 May 2024 marks the 13th anniversary of the opening for signature of the Istanbul Convention, which sets the standard for preventing and combatting violence against women and domestic violence. Ukraine, which ratified the Convention in 2022, is nearing its 2nd anniversary with the convention....
University students in Türkiye trained on gender-sensitive legal practices
The joint European Union/Council of Europe action “Fostering women's access to justice in Türkiye” launched the Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals (HELP) course on "Access to justice for women" to run between 23 February- 22 April 2024. It aimed to increase knowledge and skills of...
Eastern Partnership judicial training institutions commit to enhance regional co-operation
Rectors, vice-rectors and heads of international co-operation departments from Eastern Partnership judicial training institutions gathered in Brussels on 18-19 April 2024 for a series of meetings, presentations and workshops aimed at establishing a regional network. The aim of this regional...
HELP course on violence against women and domestic violence for Azerbaijani law enforcement officials
Acknowledging the crucial role law enforcement plays in countering violence against women and domestic violence, the new online Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals (HELP) course in Azerbaijani aims to equip professionals with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively respond to...
Ukraine strengthens efforts to end violence against women: Council of Europe project marks midterm progress
On 9 April 2024 the Council of Europe project “Combatting violence against women in Ukraine - Phase II” (COVAW II) held a meeting of partners and stakeholders to highlight project achievements in 2023 and present planned steps for 2024. Key institutions, representatives of professional...
Authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina discuss good practices in investigating and prosecuting digital violence against women
On 23 April 2024 the event on "Emerging and good practices in investigating and prosecuting digital violence against women“ in Sarajevo convened stakeholders from various sectors, including the judiciary, to explore international best practices in addressing digital violence against women. The...
Council of Europe HELP Course on access to justice for women launched to empower dudges and prosecutors from the Western Balkans
In a significant step towards enhancing gender-sensitive legal practices and strengthening the capacity of judges and prosecutors in addressing gender bias in the judiciary in the Western Balkans, the regional HELP course on access to justice for women (HELP WAJ) was launched with the support...
Coordinating action on Gender Equality - GEC holds exchanges with CEDAW, OSCE/ODIHR, OECD and ECRI
At its 25th Plenary Session, held on 16 – 18 April 2024 in Strasbourg, the Gender Equality Commission (GEC) held a number of fruitful exchanges with partner organisations. Promoting women in decision-making and in public life was the focus of discussions with Ana Peláez Narváez, Chair of the...
Results of the call for projects for civil society organisations in Serbia: Communication and advocacy initiatives on the Istanbul Convention
The Council of Europe “Ending violence against women: multi-country programme” has finalised the assessment of the call for proposals for civil society organisations (CSOs) in Serbia. The aim of the call aim is to support awareness-raising and advocacy initiatives that promote the values, aims,...
Launch of the Council of Europe guidelines for social workers
On 9 April 2024, over 50 experts, representatives from specialised ministries and agencies, and civil society members, were introduced to new Guidelines for social workers, a collaborative effort between the Council of Europe and the Ministry of labour and social protection. Rodica...
Moldovan authorities present roadmap to implement GREVIO recommendations
On 9 April 2024, a significant step towards addressing violence against women and domestic violence was taken as the Specialised Commission on the implementation of the Istanbul Convention convened under the National Council for human rights. Bringing together 57 experts, representatives from...
Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General advocates for gender equality in the Republic of Moldova
On 8 April April 2024, Bjørn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, emphasized the importance of advancing gender equality during his visit to Moldova State University. His lecture "Advancing gender equality and tackling violence against women in the Republic of Moldova"...
Council of Europe Gender Equality Strategy for 2024-2029 available in Ukrainian
The Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers adopted a new Council of Europe Gender Equality Strategy for 2024-2029 on 6 March 2024, which has now been translated into Ukrainian. This six-year strategy will guide the work of the Council of Europe and its member states, including Ukraine, toward...
Gender Equality Commission meeting, 16-18 April 2024
The 25th plenary meeting of the Gender Equality Commission (GEC) will take place on 16-18 April 2024 in Strasbourg. Following the adoption of the Council of Europe Gender Equality Strategy 2024-2029 by the Committee of Ministers in March 2024, the meeting will mainly focus on exchanges with...
Strategies to criminalise and prosecute sexual violence under the Istanbul Convention
Sexual violence, including rape, represents one of the most under-reported forms of violence against women. It is characterised by high attrition rates at the investigation and prosecution stages and few convictions, which lead to a culture of impunity. To show the evolution of legislation,...
Conference in Pristina: Implementing the Istanbul Convention through case-Law: judicial dialogue for an effective judicial response
On 15 March 2024 the Council of Europe project “Aligning laws and policies with the Istanbul Convention” and the AIRE Centre brought together over 120 representatives of key judicial institutions, including courts, prosecutor’s offices, and law enforcement agencies, as well as representatives of...
