The Special Representative on Migration and Refugees of Council of Europe Secretary General, Leyla Kayacik, addressed the 43rd session of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities.

During the discussion on the reception of refugee women and children in Europe’s cities and regions, she underlined the key role that local and regional authorities play in providing a safe haven to those fleeing violence, most of them being women and children.

In her speech, the Special Representative said that she has witnessed the situation on the ground and met relevant stakeholders, including the regional authorities. In the reports published of her fact-finding missions to the Slovak Republic, the Czech Republic, Poland and the Republic of Moldova she provided targeted recommendations on how the Council of Europe could support its member states.

« There is a need to protect women and children from all forms of violence, from human trafficking, abuse and exploitation. Their access to health care, including psychological support, to housing, to education, to linguistic integration and, ultimately, their inclusion into host societies have to be ensured” she said.

She also presented the latest Council of Europe Recommendation on protecting the rights of migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women and girls, which is part of the Council of Europe Action Plan on Protecting Vulnerable Persons in the Context of Migration and Asylum in Europe (2021-2025). The Special Representative is tasked to co-ordinate the implementation of the 5-year action plan inside and outside the Council of Europe.