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Progress in Romania in implementing the Istanbul Convention, but further action is needed to combat violence against women
Romania has taken important legislative and policy steps in recent years to prevent and combat gender-based violence. However, urgent action is still needed in certain areas to protect women and comply with the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and...
Second webinar for the Network of specialised lawyers and NGOs assisting women victims of violence
The Council of Europe’s network of specialised lawyers and NGOs assisting women victims of violence held its second webinar on 17 September 2026, focusing on how to provide legal support and representation to victims of domestic violence involving the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of...
Malta: Progress in curbing violence against women, but more needed to strengthen victim protection and perpetrator accountability
Malta has made progress in preventing and combating violence against women since 2020, including through comprehensive national strategies, stronger measures of prevention and specialised police units, according to a report published today by the Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action...
Progress achieved, but more prevention efforts and victim support services are needed
Violence against women in Latvia: Council of Europe report finds important progress but further action is needed
The Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) published its first baseline evaluation of Latvia’s implementation of the Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (known as the “Istanbul...
Progress achieved, but stronger action is needed to address the rise in online violence against women and girls
Council of Europe publishes new report on violence against women in Estonia
In its first thematic evaluation report on Estonia, the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO), highlights efforts made by the authorities to implement the Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and...
Ukraine: Council of Europe highlights measures boosting women’s protection from violence amidst challenges arising from Russia's war
In its baseline evaluation report published today, on Friday, the Council of Europe Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) praises Ukraine’s strong political will to implement the Istanbul Convention and the steps taken to protect women from...
GREVIO held its 39th plenary meeting
The Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) held its 39th plenary meeting from 29 June to 2 July 2026. It approved its preliminary first thematic evaluation reports on Georgia, Norway and Switzerland. GREVIO also adopted its final baseline...
GREVIO highlights San Marino’s efforts in addressing violence against women but finds need to enhance judicial responses
In its first thematic evaluation report published today, the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO), shines a light on laudable efforts made by San Marino to implement the Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence...
GREVIO carries out its baseline evaluation visit to the European Union
A delegation of the Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) is carrying out its baseline evaluation visit to the European Union from 16 to 25 June 2026. This visit is one of the steps in the procedure to monitor the...
The Committee of the Parties to the Istanbul Convention held its 20th meeting
The 20th meeting of the Committee of the Parties to the Istanbul Convention was held in Strasbourg on 2 June 2026. The Committee elected the following five experts to serve on the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) starting...
First webinar for the Network of specialised lawyers and NGOs assisting women victims of violence
The Council of Europe’s network of specialised lawyers and NGOs assisting women victims of violence held its first webinar on 27 May 2026, dedicated to the theme “Providing legal support and representation to victims of domestic violence in child custody and visitation rights cases.” The case of...
GREVIO will carry out its first thematic evaluation visit to Norway
A delegation of the Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) will carry out its first thematic evaluation visit to Norway, from 13 to 17 April 2026, focussing on the theme of “Building trust by delivering support, protection and...
GREVIO will carry out its first thematic evaluation visit to Germany
A delegation of the Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) will carry out its first thematic evaluation visit to Germany, from 13 to 17 April 2026, focussing on the theme of “Building trust by delivering support, protection and...
GREVIO held its 38th plenary meeting
The Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) held its 38th plenary meeting from 23 to 26 March 2026. It approved its preliminary first thematic evaluation reports on Estonia, Malta, Romania and Slovenia as well as its preliminary baseline evaluation...
Women's access to justice free from legal retaliation: a structural challenge for justice systems
On 12 March, the Platform of Independent Expert Mechanisms on Discrimination and Violence against Women (EDVAW Platform) organised, in collaboration with UN Women, a side event on the margins of the 70th Commission of the Status of Women focussing on women's access to justice free from...
Securing rights and justice without fear of retaliation #ForAllWomenAndGirls
“All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law.” Universal Declaration of Human Rights, article 7 In speaking with one voice, we members of the EDVAW Platform call upon States, world leaders, and the global community, on this 8th of...
Strengthening Europe’s commitment to women’s rights and safety
Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset made the following statement marking International Women’s Day: Recent headlines feature women every day. The sex-trafficking ring at the centre of the Epstein files. The rape and abuse of Gisèle Pelicot by scores of men. The use of AI to create...
GREVIO will carry out its first thematic evaluation visit to Switzerland
A delegation of the Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) will carry out its first thematic evaluation visit to Switzerland, from 9 to 13 March 2026, focussing on the theme of “Building trust by delivering support, protection...
GREVIO will carry out its first thematic evaluation visit to Georgia
A delegation of the Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) will carry out its follow-up evaluation visit to Georgia, from 23 to 27 February 2026, focussing on the theme “Building trust by delivering support, protection and...
Declaration made at the 19th meeting of the Committee of the Parties
On the occasion of the 19th meeting of the Committee of the Parties to the Istanbul Convention held on 11 December 2025 and as the 16 Days of Activism on Gender-based Violence had drawn to a close, the 38 member states of the Council of Europe that are party to the Istanbul Convention...
